Police march over pay row (Roundup)

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 23, 2008, 11:51 GMT

(FILE) Two British police officers on special duties at Paddington Station, west London, 02 July 2007. Around 15,000 police are planning to march through London later today in protest over pay. British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is facing mounting pressure over her decision not to backdate a 2.5 oercent pay rise for police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. EPA/ANDY RAIN

(M&C) - Around 15,000 police are planning to march through London later today in protest over pay.

Police are claiming a government "betrayal" after a decision was made not to backdate a pay increase to September for officers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The increase has been backdated only until December except in Scotland where the full backdate has been awarded. The decision effectively gives police everywhere apart from Scotland a reduced pay rise.

The marchers will form a "mass queue" outside the Houses of Parliament followed by Police Federation chairman Jan Berry presenting a petition to Downing Street and later meeting with an under-fire Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

Ms Berry said officers only wanted justice in the resolution of their pay claim.

"All we're asking for is what the independent arbiters said was the right amount," she said. 

"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."

However the government was standing by its decision saying it was important to control public sector spending.

"The home secretary and the government are grateful for the vital and hard work which police officers carry out every day," said a Home Office spokesman.

"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."

"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."