Pay deal agreed for police staff in Scotland
A pay increase, backdated to April 2022, has been agreed for all police staff in Scotland.
Agreement was reached following negotiation between the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland with the Trade Unions.
The agreement aims to achieve an appropriate balance by recognising the contribution, hard work and dedication of police staff while also being affordable in the context of the policing budget.
This has been a difficult offer because there is appreciation of the significant financial challenges created for our people as a result of the rises in the cost of living.
Details of the offer are as follows:
- a 5% uplift to all salary points;
- a 5% increase to all shift allowances;
- the introduction of a Dog Transfer Allowance of £1,239 per annum for the transfer of dogs in a person's own vehicle;
- maintain the policy position on no compulsory redundancy.
- Introduction of parental leave; for each child born on and following 1 April 2022, four weeks' paid parental leave and 14 weeks' unpaid parental leave (per child) to be taken in line with current policy provisions. This would also be applicable to all adopting parents who have had an approved match with an adopted child on and following 1 April 2022. The ability to request paid leave would commence from 1 April 2023 to allow for relevant systems and procedures to be agreed.
A commitment has also been made, through the establishment of a joint working group, to explore other issues such as the potential to reduce the working hours for staff, including the consideration of the option of a four day week, and the introduction of an overnight disruption allowance for staff.
It should be highlighted that this offer represents a significant improvement on what was initially on offer, in an effort to recognise the current cost of living pressures while striving to achieve a fair settlement within funding limits.
This is supported by the continued policy commitment to no compulsory redundancy and continues our accreditation as a living wage employer.
The salary increases will back-dated to 1 April 2022 and will be paid to staff in their November salaries, which will be paid on 28 November.
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said: “Police staff work day in, day out, to support a shared mission of public service and it is right their commitment is recognised and rewarded.
"I thank everyone who worked to reach this agreement, particularly when staff are concerned about the cost of living crisis and its impact on them and their families."
Martyn Evans, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said: “I am pleased we have reached an agreement following constructive dialogue with the Trade Unions. Our staff make an essential and valuable contribution to the delivery of policing across Scotland and we are very grateful to them for that.”
The deal was considered and accepted following a ballot of Trade Union members.
