Police pay review: Politicians and groups react

An independent review of police pay and conditions has recommended big cuts in perks and bonuses, including saving £60m a year in overtime - but there are fears 28,000 jobs could be lost. Politicians, police groups and others give their reaction.

Association of Chief Police Officers

Fairness is the key to reviewing pay, says Mr Fahy

Acpo predicts the jobs of 12,000 police officers and 16,000 civilian staff will be lost as a result of the cuts - a reduction of about 12% of posts.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy, Acpo's lead on workforce development, said "hugely difficult" decisions would have to be taken but most forces were realistic sacrifices had to be made.

He said he was pleased bonuses for chief officers had been suspended and that no evidence was found suggesting abuses of overtime were prevalent. The review would lay "lasting foundations" for the service, he added.

Police Federation of England and Wales

Chairman Paul McKeever said: "These recommendations, if implemented, together with the two-year pay freeze and a likely increase in pension contributions, will have a devastating effect on policing.

"Police officers are likely to suffer a 15-20% reduction in the value of their pay.

"Officers and their families are paying the price for the failure of the home secretary to safeguard policing from the 20% cut on the service imposed by the Treasury."

He added: "We have to work a way around the law. We do not have a right to strike. We are being bullied at the moment."

Policing Minister Nick Herbert

Nick Herbert says reform is essential to protect jobs

He said: "We have to deal with the deficit, and police forces can and must make savings, focusing on back and middle office functions like IT and procurement so that front-line services can be protected.

"But when three-quarters of force budgets goes on pay, reform of pay and conditions is also essential to protect police jobs and keep officers on the streets."

Association of Police Authorities

The organisation said the Winsor review was a "once in a generation opportunity to see police pay reformed".

Chairman Rob Garnham said: "Police authorities are ready for the challenge of change, to deliver a modern, effective pay system that delivers value for money.

"This means a system that is fair to both police officers and staff and the taxpayer."

Metropolitan Police Federation

Police forces in England and Wales face funding cuts of 20% over the next four years

Chairman Peter Smyth said: "Whichever way it is dressed up, Mr Winsor has produced a formula for slashing police pay.

"When officers have deciphered the report's opaque language and realise the reality of the massive cuts to the police pay budget, they will be dismayed and very angry."

He said plans to pay officers according to performance would "unavoidably create a mushrooming of bureaucratic work in the back office".

Police Superintendents' Association

President Derek Barnett said: "It is inevitable in any such review that there will be some winners and losers and it is important now that we take the opportunity to reflect on the huge amount of detail.

"We need to recognise that police officers, along with other public servants, are facing a two-year pay freeze and a steep increase in pension contributions that will significantly reduce the take-home pay of all police officers.

"This will amount to a double hit for many officers."

Home Secretary Theresa May

Forces can make "significant savings" by becoming more efficient, the home secretary says

"With a record budget deficit, we are in exceptional circumstances," she told the BBC.

"And with three-quarters of the police budget going on staff, then pay and conditions has to play its role in ensuring we can keep officers' jobs, keep officers on the street, and cut crime."

She said it was possible for forces to make "significant" budget savings by making back offices, support services, procurement and IT more efficient.

"I know up and down the country chief constables are making sure that they are protecting front-line, visible and available policing, and responsive policing," she added.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the home affairs select committee

"Looking at the changes that a police officer is going to have to undergo over the next few weeks, months and years, it's going to be pretty tough for them," he said.

"Where it says do not just give bonuses and overtime payments for the sake of it, I think that the British public will be delighted with what is being said. But we shouldn't just single out the police in this particular circumstance."

He added: "On a day when Acpo itself have said that 12,000 officers are going to lose their jobs, if you're then subsequently going to cut overtime payments in the way in which it's being suggested, then that's going to be very difficult."

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

Yvette Cooper says Tom Winsor's "detailed review" needs "proper consideration"

"It is already clear that this won't stop the 28,000 police job cuts that chief constables have announced today, as a result of the 20% police budget cuts," she said.

"Everyone will support sensible reforms but it's important the government works with the police on reform rather that picking a fight with the police as they tried to do last week.

"The government is cutting too far too fast and hitting the police budget hard, ultimately it is local communities that will pay the price."