West Yorkshire Police Federation says the increase in National Insurance payments may push more officers out of the service
It's set to increase by 1.25%
Last updated 17th Sep 2021
West Yorkshire Police Federation says frontline officers are “skint, angry, tired and fatigued”, and that the Government’s decision to increase National Insurance payments could push more officers out of the service.
The rise in National Insurance by 1.25%, which the Government says is needed to pay for health and social care, comes on top of a 0% pay rise for police officers, and West Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Brian Booth said it will “do little to curb the growing anger among rank and file officers”.
Brian said:
“Frontline officers are skint, angry, tired and fatigued. There seems to be a perfect storm brewing and this could have serious implications for the Government’s recruitment ambition.
“A number of issues include the pension debacle, continued reductions in police pay, poor work conditions, COVID, and an opportunistic job market looming – these could be all ingredients for officers leaving the service.
“Unless there is significant change, 2022 could be the year where the service really struggles to retain its talent. Officers have had 10 years of pay austerity, and this culminated with another pay freeze this year. The icing on the cake is the rise in National insurance contributions and it will do little to curb the growing anger among rank and file officers.”
Other public sector workers have received a pay rise this year, while police officers earning over £24,000 received 0%. This amounts to a real-terms cut in pay, especially as inflation is at 2%.
We have contacted the government for a response.