Dixon disappointed by Police pay announcement

9.09.00pm GMT Mon 10th Dec 2007

John Dixon, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Cardiff North said he was disappointed that the Home Secretary has decided not to honour the independent decision of the Police Arbitration Tribunal.

He said that finding this out through a leaked document is an insult to a profession that provides a very valuable and difficult service to the country and believes the pay award should be backdated so that it represents the 2.5% agreed, not the 1.9% the government intends to make it.

John Dixon said "The fact that the Police Federation is considering balloting its members on the right to strike demonstrates just how inadequate the Home Secretary's handling of the situation has been. The Home Secretary should honour the panel's decision, and owes the police an apology for the manner in which her department has dealt with the issue. The Liberal Democrats want the arbitration system to be binding on the Home Secretary as well as the police, and for the UK's police officers to be recognised for the work they do."