Local Welcome For Police Pay Deal

SNP members of the Central Scotland Police Board have welcomed the SNP government's decision to honour the result of the arbitration exercise into police pay after London Labour renege on the deal.

Police officers in Scotland will receive backdated pay this month and their 2.5% increase paid in full while officers in England will receive 1.9% and no backdating to the date the independent arbitration exercise concluded.

The UK Labour government's betrayal of Police Officers as part of the attack on the pay and conditions of Public Sector workers has been condemned by Police Federation spokespersons and demanded the right to take industrial action creating an unprecedented crisis within the force.

SNP Councillor, Martin Oliver, a member of the local Police Board welcomed the decision by Justice Minister, Kenny McAskill to pay in full the deal agreed after independent arbitration.

Said Councillor Oliver,

"I am delighted that the SNP has kept its promise to Police Officers in Scotland and appalled at the treatment of English officers by this increasingly discredited New Labour government in London.

For the police to be threatening legal action in England demonstrates the feelings of betrayal felt within the force south of the border.

Compare this to the commitment of the Scottish government to not only pay Police Officers what they are due but also increase Police numbers each year for the next four years of SNP government. It is no wonder the approval factor of the SNP is increasing in the polls beyond what we achieved at last May's elections."