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Police pay settlement - Metropolitan Police Authority to write to Home Secretary

68/07
20 December 2007

At the Metropolitan Police Authority meeting held on 20 December 2007, it was unanimously agreed that the Metropolitan Police Authority Chair Len Duvall should write to the Home Secretary setting out the Authority’s concern about the government’s refusal to backdate the pay settlement for police officers in England and Wales.

Len Duvall said:

“There are very important issues to be resolved in this situation. The government has failed to recognise that the police are a unique group of public servants who do not enjoy the same employment rights as other public employees – they do not have the right to take industrial action. This situation has given rise to needless antagonism and it is not a precedent that we want to see established. We must support police officers so they can carry out their duties fully and with fair remuneration.

“The government has not acted fairly regarding arbitration for this annual pay award, which has led to an unacceptable relationship between employer and employee. A fair formulation of pay for police officers must be agreed between all parties.

“Hopefully both sides will come together to arrive at a proper process where a fair pay settlement can be achieved.”

Responding specifically to a press statement issued by the Metropolitan Police Federation, Len Duvall deplored the stance taken in relation to the MPA. He said:

“The MPA made clear its position regarding the current pay settlement for police officers when I made a public statement at a meeting of the Greater London Authority on 7 November 2007.

“Rachel Whittaker, lead MPA member for Human Resources and Remuneration, has been instrumental in working on the Police Negotiating Board to achieve a fair pay settlement for police officers. She commented that whilst not backdating the settlement to 1st September saved money in the short term, the government justification is not substantiated as it has no effect on long-term inflation.

“Our sustained and practical support for police officers has been recognised by the National Federation of Police Officers, but unfortunately appears to have been overlooked by the Met Police Federation.”

Notes to editors

1. Len Duvall, chair of the MPA, raised the issue of the forthcoming police pay settlement during his opening remarks at the recent London Assembly meeting (7 November 2007) where he and the Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, appeared.

Mr Duvall made it quite clear that the police do an exceptional and demanding job on behalf of the public. He also stated that the pay negotiation mechanism needed to recognise these facts and that police officers deserved a just settlement. He acknowledged the strong feelings amongst rank and file officers who want their dedication and hard work to be recognised and rewarded.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office