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Police to join in pay row rally Police to join in pay row rally
(20 minutes later)
About 15,000 police officers are expected to gather in London for a mass march and rally in a protest over pay.About 15,000 police officers are expected to gather in London for a mass march and rally in a protest over pay.
Officers are angry that a 2.5% pay rise has been backdated to only 1 December for officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Officers are angry that a 2.5% pay rise has been backdated to only 1 December for officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Police say it is effectively a 1.9% increase, unlike Scotland where the rise has been backdated to 1 September.Police say it is effectively a 1.9% increase, unlike Scotland where the rise has been backdated to 1 September.
The Home Office said it had a responsibility to make sure pay rises were in line with government policy.The Home Office said it had a responsibility to make sure pay rises were in line with government policy.
In Scotland, the Scottish government agreed to backdate the increase fully to 1 September, as recommended by the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal.In Scotland, the Scottish government agreed to backdate the increase fully to 1 September, as recommended by the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal.
Anger feltAnger felt
The rally is the first mass demonstration by police since 5,000 officers protested against plans for more flexible pay and conditions six years ago.The rally is the first mass demonstration by police since 5,000 officers protested against plans for more flexible pay and conditions six years ago.
The government is plain wrong in seeking to impose across the public services below-inflation pay rises Brendan BarberTUC general secretary Q&A: Police pay rowThe government is plain wrong in seeking to impose across the public services below-inflation pay rises Brendan BarberTUC general secretary Q&A: Police pay row
BBC News home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says the latest protest is set to command even greater support, a sign of the anger police feel at the home secretary's refusal to implement their pay award in full.BBC News home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says the latest protest is set to command even greater support, a sign of the anger police feel at the home secretary's refusal to implement their pay award in full.
There is almost no chance of a government u-turn - with ministers determined to control public sector wages - but police want to make the point that pay rises determined independently should be honoured, he added.There is almost no chance of a government u-turn - with ministers determined to control public sector wages - but police want to make the point that pay rises determined independently should be honoured, he added.
Officers from Scotland - where police will get the entire 2.5% rise - will show support for their colleagues by taking part, as will some from higher ranks, including superintendents.Officers from Scotland - where police will get the entire 2.5% rise - will show support for their colleagues by taking part, as will some from higher ranks, including superintendents.
The marchers will form a "mass queue" outside Parliament to lobby their MPs.The marchers will form a "mass queue" outside Parliament to lobby their MPs.
A rally of 3,500 officers in Westminster will be followed by Police Federation chairman Jan Berry presenting a petition to Downing Street and meeting Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.A rally of 3,500 officers in Westminster will be followed by Police Federation chairman Jan Berry presenting a petition to Downing Street and meeting Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
'Solidarity and support''Solidarity and support'
Mrs Berry rejected the government's argument that public sector pay restraint was needed to control inflation.Mrs Berry rejected the government's argument that public sector pay restraint was needed to control inflation.
She said: "All we're asking for is what the independent arbiters said was the right amount.She said: "All we're asking for is what the independent arbiters said was the right amount.
"We're the one group of workers who can do very little about having an award imposed upon them - other workers can threaten to take industrial action.""We're the one group of workers who can do very little about having an award imposed upon them - other workers can threaten to take industrial action."
The federation has warned its members that anti-police groups may try to disrupt the event and asked demonstrators not to respond to taunts.The federation has warned its members that anti-police groups may try to disrupt the event and asked demonstrators not to respond to taunts.
We believe that effective pay arrangements for police officers are essential for a modern police service Home Office spokesmanWe believe that effective pay arrangements for police officers are essential for a modern police service Home Office spokesman
Some 150 officers from the Metropolitan force will police the event.Some 150 officers from the Metropolitan force will police the event.
Officers attending the demonstration said that feelings were running high among police ranks.
One protestor, Jeff Maps, said: "All we are asking for is an equitable pay rise that is fair and transparent."
Another, Michelle Greatrex, added that members of parliament "are entitled to a 2.8% pay rise, so why can't we have our pay rise?"
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has sent a letter of "solidarity and support" to the demonstrators.TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has sent a letter of "solidarity and support" to the demonstrators.
He said: "The government is plain wrong in seeking to impose across the public services below-inflation pay rises, undermining in the process the integrity of the independent pay determination machinery that has contributed so much to industrial relations stability."He said: "The government is plain wrong in seeking to impose across the public services below-inflation pay rises, undermining in the process the integrity of the independent pay determination machinery that has contributed so much to industrial relations stability."
Federation members will be balloted next month on whether to campaign for the right to strike.Federation members will be balloted next month on whether to campaign for the right to strike.
'Vital work''Vital work'
The Home Office said Ms Smith will meet the federation to discuss spreading pay deals over several years. However, Andrew Haldenby, director of the think tank Reform, said police had been given above-inflation pay rises for the past 12 years without delivering a better service.
A spokesman said: "These bring greater certainty, allow people to plan and budget better, and free up time for government and the service to focus on delivery. He said: "It's true that some areas of crime have fallen like burglary and vehicle crime, but I think that's as much to do with longer prison sentences and the fact that we're all spending more as a society on burglar alarms and car alarms and so on.
"The home secretary and the government are grateful for the vital and hard work which police officers carry out every day. "For things like anti-social behaviour where we do look to the police to actually make a difference, those areas of crime have not improved at all."
"We believe that effective pay arrangements for police officers are essential for a modern police service which delivers high standards of community safety and security to the public. The Home Office said the home secretary was grateful for the vital and hard work carried out by police officers.
"However, we also have a responsibility to ensure pay settlements take into account affordability and consistency with government pay policy, including the maintenance of low inflation." "However, we also have a responsibility to ensure pay settlements take into account affordability and consistency with government pay policy, including the maintenance of low inflation," a spokesman said.
The prime minister's spokesman said it had been necessary to deliver several pay settlements in stages to keep inflation under control.The prime minister's spokesman said it had been necessary to deliver several pay settlements in stages to keep inflation under control.
But Labour MP Martin Salter said the government could have compromised by increasing other payments to officers without backing down on the headline rate of pay.But Labour MP Martin Salter said the government could have compromised by increasing other payments to officers without backing down on the headline rate of pay.
He added: "To lose the confidence of the crime fighters themselves is not clever politics and it's not right."He added: "To lose the confidence of the crime fighters themselves is not clever politics and it's not right."
The Liberal Democrats' candidate for London Mayor, Brian Paddick, a former Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, will take part in the march.The Liberal Democrats' candidate for London Mayor, Brian Paddick, a former Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, will take part in the march.
He said: "The police pay deal is a cynical attack on police officers because they cannot strike."He said: "The police pay deal is a cynical attack on police officers because they cannot strike."