Dyfed Powys Police Federation secretary Roger Webb says it’s a disgrace that the Government is imposing a pay freeze on the very public sector workers who have been on the front-line serving their communities during the pandemic.

He was responding to the Spending Review announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday.

“Police officers, along with other public sector workers, have steadfastly served and protected their communities during the pandemic, putting their own health and that of their families at risk while doing so,” says Roger.

“While we appreciate there is a financial crisis, I think it is a disgrace that the Government is imposing a pay freeze on most public sector workers, including police officers.

“It is going to be pretty hard for police officers to take particularly when you consider that in the years of austerity their pay fell by 18 per cent in real terms when, due to cuts of officer numbers, their workload increased as demand soared.

“I am also concerned about the impact this pay freeze will have on our recruitment processes. We are just one year into a recruitment drive but how is a pay freeze going to enable us to attract the very best recruits to policing? Starting salaries are already quite low when you consider the dangers and responsibilities of the role so this is not going to help at all.”

National Federation chair John Apter has also condemned the Chancellor’s announcement saying it was ‘a kick in the teeth for police officers’.

“A handful of officers will get the additional £250 for the lowest paid workers but only those who are already on an appallingly low starting salary for the dangerous job they do,” John said.

“I appreciate the devil will be in the detail but the headlines from today’s announcement does nothing to show appreciation to police officers and other public sector workers who have kept the wheels turning during 2020.”

Incremental pay rises and promotion will not be affected.