Calls For Better Pay For Police Officers

“A decent pay rise and improvements to conditions would go a long way towards GMP officers feeling valued for the incredibly difficult job they do,” the Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation has said.

Mike Peake was responding to the Police Federation of England and Wales’ call for a minimum 7% annual pay rise for each of the next three years.

In its report to the Police Remuneration Review Body for 2026, PFEW said the multi-year pay settlement was essential to improve retention, morale and operational capability. It also called for a raft of improvements to officer conditions, including increased allowances and annual leave.

By contrast, the National Police Chiefs’ Council is supporting a 3.5% pay rise if it is fully funded by the Government, or a below-inflation 2.5% if it is not.

Mike said: “I fully support PFEW’s call for police officers to receive a 7% pay rise, and for an uplift in allowances connected to our terms and conditions.

“Greater Manchester Police officers work incredibly hard, and this is reflected in the improved performance of the force. Such improvements can only be realised by the hard work and dedication by those who protect Greater Manchester communities day in and day out. However, that dedication comes at a price – officer burnout and mental health-related sickness has never been so high.

“In addition to existing overwhelming demands, Greater Manchester continues to see an increasing number of protests, which require a significant policing presence. This leads to cancelled rest days for many officers who are already exhausted and struggling to take much-needed time off.

“The Government needs to acknowledge that many experienced officers cannot wait to get out of policing, as the demands and pressure of the role are becoming too great. A decent pay rise and improvements to conditions would go a long way towards GMP officers feeling valued for the incredibly difficult job they do.”

The PFEW is also calling for:

– Full recognition of the ‘P Factor’ in police pay, to properly reflect the risks, restrictions and obligations unique to policing.

– Fewer pay points for PCs to simplify progression and improve competitiveness, including removing the lowest pay points to reflect frontline expectations from day one.

– Increase the unsocial hours allowance from 10% to 20%, for work between 8pm and 6am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

– Acting up and temporary promotion payments should be paid from day one and made pensionable.

– The maximum London and South East allowance should be paid as standard.

– Increased annual leave, with any unused leave to be paid.

– A new long-service leave and recuperation leave.

– Workload payments to Inspectors and Chief Inspectors should be extended, with additional pay for hours worked beyond 48 per week, pending a full review of the 1994 PNB Agreement.