Anger is growing within the police over the home secretary's decision not to backdate a 2.5% pay rise.
Anger is growing within the police over the home secretary's decision not to backdate a 2.5% pay rise.
There have been calls for officers to be allowed to strike, over what the Police Federation says is a rise of only 1.9% in real terms.
There have been calls for officers to be allowed to strike, over what the Police Federation says is a rise of only 1.9% in real terms.
The federation says police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had been promised their pay was backdated to September, as it has been in Scotland.
The federation says police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had been promised their pay was backdated to September, as it has been in Scotland.
The government says the rise is in line with its inflation target.
The government says the rise is in line with its inflation target.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "We've been through a process of arbitration.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "We've been through a process of arbitration.
"The arbitration board recommended an award of 2.5% which we have accepted.
"The arbitration board recommended an award of 2.5% which we have accepted.
"But I have staged it so that instead of coming into operation on the first of September it comes into operation on the first of December".
"But I have staged it so that instead of coming into operation on the first of September it comes into operation on the first of December".
Ms Smith added that the pay award would be "just under 2%" keeping it in line with the government's target for inflation.
Ms Smith added that the pay award would be "just under 2%" keeping it in line with the government's target for inflation.
The increase will see all officers paid a minimum of £21,500, while those with the longest service receiving £33,800.
The increase will see all officers paid a minimum of £21,500, while those with the longest service receiving £33,800.
Industrial muscle
Industrial muscle
BBC home affairs correspondent Andy Tighe said that there is wide-spread anger at the announcement within the service.
BBC home affairs correspondent Andy Tighe said that there is wide-spread anger at the announcement within the service.
Police officers need faith in their hours and condition system and at the moment they haven't got it Jan Berry, Police Federation
Police officers need faith in their hours and condition system and at the moment they haven't got it Jan Berry, Police Federation
But our correspondent said the government is standing firm, saying police officers shouldn't get a better deal than other public service workers, such as nurses.
But our correspondent said the government is standing firm, saying police officers shouldn't get a better deal than other public service workers, such as nurses.
The police are forbidden from taking strike action by an act of parliament, although some Police Federation members are calling for a ballot to demand this ban is removed.
The police are forbidden from taking strike action by an act of parliament, although some Police Federation members are calling for a ballot to demand this ban is removed.
The service has flexed its industrial muscle in the past, adds our correspondent, lobbying parliament over a pay and conditions dispute five years ago.
The service has flexed its industrial muscle in the past, adds our correspondent, lobbying parliament over a pay and conditions dispute five years ago.
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, said: "For me, we either have to have access to industrial rights or we have to have binding arbitration.
Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation, said: "For me, we either have to have access to industrial rights or we have to have binding arbitration.
"Police officers need faith in their hours and condition system and at the moment they haven't got it."
"Police officers need faith in their hours and condition system and at the moment they haven't got it."
Kent's Chief Constable Michael Fuller added the row is having an "enormous impact on morale" in the police.
Kent's Chief Constable Michael Fuller added the row is having an "enormous impact on morale" in the police.
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