Pay row: members urged to contact MPs

16 September 2021

The chair of the national Police Federation is calling on members to visit local MPs and echo his demands for the Government to review officers’ pay freeze after ministers ignored a letter he hand-delivered to Downing Street at the end of July.

John Apter is urging officers, their loved ones and members of the public to get their voices heard, following the lack of response he has received to the letter.

In the letter, John spoke of his disappointment at the Government’s disdain and disrespect for officers, after it was announced that there would be a pay freeze for any officer who earns more than £24,000.

John wants people to contact MPs and repeat the Federation’s request for fairness.

“Fridays are constituency days and, if you live within a constituency, you are within your rights to make an appointment to speak with your MP locally,” he explained.

“It’s important that your MPs hear first-hand what policing looks like each and every day, warts and all. This is our reality and we need it to be heard.

“Collectively, you and your family members are a loud voice, make sure you have it heard. Only then will local MPs put pressure on the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Home Secretary to make the changes needed, to treat us fairly and protect the public.

“This is about us all coming together, united and focused. We just want to be treated fairly, that’s not too much to ask."