the fact that police officers do not have the right to strike. Every year since then its decisions have been implemented.
This year, the Panel recommended a 2.5% pay rise. But the Home Secretary has departed from the normal practice followed for the last 28 years and has refused to backdate the increase to September. This means that the actual pay rise for the year as a whole would be 1.9%.
This is a flagrant breach of faith with a group of people on whom we depend for so much and who are willing to risk their lives on our behalf.
It has been almost universally condemned, not least by Michael Fuller, the Chief Constable of Kent. And here in Kent and in many other parts of the country the decision is particularly difficult to understand. This is because the Kent Police Authority, in common with many other police authorities across the country, has actually made provision in its budget for paying the award in full. In other words the Kent Police Authority is effectively being blocked by the Government from giving Kent’s police officers the increase they have been awarded which it can afford to pay.
I hope it is not too late for the Government to think again on this. They certainly should.
On a happier note Sandra and I once again wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all you want for yourselves in 2008. |
