Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement today setting out the Government’s ‘mini-budget’, National Chair Steve Hartshorn said:

“Whilst today’s statement sets out much needed support from the Government for households and businesses, many of our members and their families are still under huge financial pressure.

“We’re now in the appalling situation where one in seven police officers are struggling to cover their monthly essentials. With the Bank of England recently raising interest rates from 1.75% to 2.25%, it is likely only going to get worse as we head into winter and the cost of living crisis deepens.

“Further action to support struggling families must now be an urgent priority for ministers including a pay increase for 2023 that takes account of the real terms pay cut officers have faced over the last decade. For police forces across the country where morale is already low, this directly impacts our ability to serve the public.”