Criminal JusticeSpeeches

Priti Patel – 2022 Statement on Pay and Allowances for PCCs and PFCCs

The statement made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, in the House of Commons on 19 July 2022.

The Senior Salaries Review Body published its report today. The SSRB considered the pay and allowances for Police and Crime Commissioners and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales. The Government value the independent and expert advice of the SSRB. We thank the Chair and members for their thoughtful commentary and observations.

The SSRB’s report recommends:

PCCs should move to three pay groups, in line with the proposals for chief constables.

With effect from 1 May 2022, PCC pay should be increased to:

Group 1: £108,800

Group 2: £94,300

Group 3: £83,200

PCC pay increases in future years in line with the SSRB-recommended annual pay increase for chief police officers between formal SSRB reviews in line with the electoral cycle.

A pay supplement of 7.5% for PCCs taking on the additional responsibility for fire and rescue governance.

A loss-of-office payment for PCCs in line with that available to Members of Parliament.

That home security for PCCs is treated as a business expense and not a personal benefit.

PCCs and PFCCs play an important role in reducing crime and protecting the public, providing their communities with the opportunity to have a direct say in policing in their area through their locally elected and accountable PCC or PFCC.

It would be inappropriate for me to make significant or structural changes to PCC remuneration. I believe these issues should be considered when the future structure of chief police officer pay is settled. Therefore, we have chosen not to accept in full the SSRB’s recommendations.

The Government have decided that with effect from 1 May 2022, the current PCC salary pay bands will be increased by £1,900, in line with the award for all police officers.