A pay increase has been agreed for police officers in Scotland which will be backdated to 1 April 2021. Police officers in Scotland will receive a £700 increase in their pay (pro rata).  This involves a £700 increase to police officer pay points for all ranks.

The agreement reached aims to achieve an appropriate balance by recognising the important contribution that police officers make in keeping people and communities across Scotland safe while also being affordable in the context of the policing budget.

The pay agreement was reached following extensive dialogue and negotiation through the Police Negotiating Board (PNB). The PNB includes the ‘Staff Side’ which is made up representatives from the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association (SCPOSA), the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.

In addition to the £700 across all pay points, the agreement includes a number of enhancements to police officer terms and conditions that can be summarised as follows:

• a 1% increase to all relevant allowances (with effect from 1 April 2021)
• an increase in the notice period for eligibility to double time payments for being required to work on a rest day from less than 5 days to less than 8 days (with effect from 19 November 2021)
• an increase in the notice period for eligibility to time and a half payments for being required to work on a rest day from less than 15 days to less than 18 days (with effect from 19 November 2021)
• a reduction in the qualifying length of service period for maximum annual leave entitlement from 20 years to 10 years (to be implemented over a three-year period with effect from 1 April 2022)
• A maximum of two weeks of unpaid leave can now be reckonable for pension purposes in any year (with effect from 1 April 2022)
• The removal of the entry pay point for sergeants (with effect from 1 April 2023)
• Additional pay points added to the top of the Chief Inspector and Chief Superintendent pay scales (with effect from 1 October 2021)
• The extension of the Overnight Disruption Allowance, currently available for all ranks up to Chief Inspector, to Superintending ranks (with effect from 1 April 2022).

In addition to the pay agreement, a one-off non-consolidated payment of £250 has been awarded to all officers in recognition of the significant challenges that the workforce has faced in 2020 and 2021.

Martyn Evans, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said:

“The Authority has been working closely with Police Scotland and the Scottish Government as part the PNB and in constructive dialogue with representatives from the Scottish Police Federation, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents and the Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association to reach this pay deal. The agreement recognises the essential and valuable role police officers play in keeping the people and communities of Scotland safe and secure.”

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said:

“I know the high level of commitment to public service that exists in Police Scotland and which is demonstrated across the country every minute of every day for the benefit of our communities.

“I’ve consistently underlined my thanks for the work of police officers and the support of their families, throughout the pandemic, and at all times, and it is crucial our people are properly recognised and rewarded.

“It was important that a fair and affordable pay agreement was reached and I thank the Scottish Police Federation, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, and all who worked together to achieve this settlement.”

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans added: 

“I am pleased that after a period of constructive discussion and negotiation, the Police Negotiating Board has reached agreement on Police Officer pay for 2021/22.  The agreements recognise the dedication and commitment of our officers, to keep all our communities safe. It also highlights the benefits of collective pay bargaining for Police Officers, in maintaining positive relations between the Official and Staff sides of the Police Negotiating Board.”

Article initially published 22 October 2021

Notes

The full details of the agreement are detailed in a PNB Circular which will be published by the Scottish Government in the coming days.

Negotiations with the Trade Unions on a pay deal for police staff are nearing a conclusion and a separate communication will be issued in due course.