By Gemma Fraser
Head of content
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said it will not accept officers getting “short shrift” in this year’s pay negotiations after other public sector workers were offered above-inflation rises.
The staff side representing officers in Scotland has asked for a 4.5 per cent increase for 2025/26.
And the SPF wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s lengthy negotiations, which ended in arbitration and resulted in a 4.75 per cent increase – less than the 5.5 per cent request.
It is now in weekly discussions with the official side – made up of Scottish ministers, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland – through the Police Negotiating Board Scotland (PNBS).
A pay deal was made to NHS Scotland staff of an increase of 4.25 per cent for this year and 3.75 per cent for 2026, while prison officers have been offered a deal to replicate the NHS offer.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, said this sets the tone for this year’s negotiations.
“The NHS have been offered a pay deal, prison officers have now been offered the same deal,” he said. “Are the police going to get the same deal or are they going to get the short shrift again this year?
“Surely police officers are going to see similar, if not better?
“We want this resolved as soon as possible; we’re expecting within the next eight weeks.
“We’re in discussions weekly and we are looking for a decision and won’t be waiting until the tail end of the year.”
As part of previous pay negotiations, it was agreed that economic experts at the Fraser of Allander Institute would carry out an independent review of police pay in Scotland.
It was awarded the contract to carry out research into police officer pay and benefits, with the first element relating to wage growth from 2025/26 onwards. The second relates to current pay and benefits and will look at the “unique nature” of the role of a police officer in society.
In a memo to SPF members last month, Kennedy said that the official side has refused to take a decision on pay restoration until the second phase of the Fraser of Allander Institute’s research is complete.
He wrote: “There is no timeline for this conclusion, and no commitment to act once it is. We have made clear that this position is unacceptable.”
He continued: “The SPF and the staff side remain fully committed to meaningful negotiation.
“However, we must also be clear: police officer pay has fallen significantly in real terms over the last 15 years; recruitment and retention pressures are growing; officers continue to deliver in the most demanding of circumstances, with no right to withdraw labour.
“This claim is not just justified – it is overdue.”
Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said: “It is a really important time for policing in Scotland, and there needs to be investment in the profession.
“We need to show police officers that we value the role that they play in society, because that’s the only way we’re going to continue to attract candidates that meet those exceptionally high standards of professional behaviour that we set for officers.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Pay negotiations are being progressed through the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland, as is normal practice.
“Alongside the other members of the official side, we remain committed to continued engagement and meaningful dialogue with a view to reaching agreement at the earliest opportunity.”
