Police officers in England and Wales to receive 4.2% pay rise… what this means

Police officers across England and Wales are set to receive a 4.2% pay increase, following government approval of the latest pay award. The raise will apply to all ranks up to and including chief superintendent, and will be supported by an additional £120 million in funding from the Home Office.

Under the new structure, the starting salary for a police constable will rise to £31,163, with officers typically earning up to £50,257 after six years of service. Meanwhile, the average salary for a chief superintendent will increase to £98,500. Allowances for on-call duties, working away from home, and hardship will each increase by £10, while London weighting will also rise by 4.2%.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper praised the dedication of police officers, saying:

“Our brave police officers work day and night, often making enormous sacrifices, to keep us safe. This government is proud to back them, and today’s pay award is a clear signal of our gratitude and our determination to ensure they are properly rewarded.”

However, the response from within the policing community has been mixed.

Brian Booth, Deputy National Chairman of the Police Federation, which represents over 145,000 officers, said the increase “barely treads water” amid current inflation rates, which stand at 4.1%.

“We note that chief constables argued for a 3.8% rise. While we welcome the government’s decision to go further, this award does little to reverse over a decade of real-terms pay cuts,” Booth said.
“It equates to the cost of a Big Mac per shift and won’t stop the record levels of resignations, mental health absences, or assaults on officers.”

The Federation has announced plans to consult its members on whether to accept or reject the award.

Meanwhile, Philip Wells, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for pay and conditions, welcomed the government’s decision and additional funding, saying:

“We’re pleased the pay review body recognised the evidence presented by chief constables. The funding support is vital, as more than 85% of police spending is on pay. Ensuring this increase is fully funded is essential for maintaining frontline services and investments in areas like neighbourhood policing and technology.”

Analysis: A Welcome Boost or a Missed Opportunity?

The 4.2% pay rise for police officers in England and Wales arrives at a time of growing concern over the morale and retention of frontline officers. While the government has framed the increase as a sign of respect and commitment to public safety, the reality is more nuanced.

On the surface, the pay award matches current inflation (4.1%), offering a modest real-terms improvement. Yet, over the past decade, police pay has lagged significantly behind inflation, resulting in what many officers describe as a “long-term erosion” of their earning power. The Police Federation’s likening of the increase to the price of a “Big Mac per shift” is more than just rhetorical—it reflects a wider frustration among rank-and-file officers about the value placed on their work.

Importantly, the government’s decision to provide £120 million in additional funding to cover the raise shows an awareness of budgetary pressures on police forces. Without this funding, forces would have been forced to absorb the costs—likely leading to cuts elsewhere, including frontline services.

Yet the broader crisis in policing—marked by rising resignations, increased mental health issues, and officer assaults—cannot be solved by a marginal pay rise alone. The symbolism of the award may matter politically, but for those in uniform, the core issue remains feeling under-resourced, undervalued, and overburdened.

Ultimately, this pay award is a step in the right direction—but it risks being perceived as too little, too late, unless paired with a wider strategy to restore trust, improve working conditions, and make the profession more sustainable in the long term.