Police officers to receive 4.2% pay rise in 2025/26

Police officers in England and Wales are set to receive a 4.2% pay rise from September 2025, following recommendations from the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB). The increase will apply to all officers up to and including the rank of chief superintendent, alongside an equivalent uplift in London Weighting.

The independent review body said the award recognises the bravery and dedication shown by officers, particularly during the summer 2024 unrest, which saw widespread disorder and resulted in around 300 officers injured. It also took account of continuing cost-of-living pressures, with inflation forecast to remain above 3% into late 2025.

Allowance increases

The PRRB also recommended a series of allowance rises, including:

• On-call Allowance up from £25 to £35
• Away from Home Overnight Allowance up from £50 to £60
• Hardship Allowance up from £30 to £40
• A simplified Motor Vehicle Allowance set at £1,239 for all essential users

The review stressed the need for fair compensation, especially as over half of officers are at the top of their pay scales and do not benefit from annual progression. It also highlighted that police officers are legally barred from taking industrial action, unlike many other public sector workers who have recently secured higher settlements through strikes.

Retention and morale

The PRRB warned that retention pressures are growing, with rising resignation rates among sergeants and inspectors. It argued that competitive pay is vital to maintain a high-calibre workforce capable of meeting the challenges of modern policing, including tackling serious violence, cybercrime and increasing public expectations.

The review further called for a long-term police workforce strategy to be delivered as part of the forthcoming Police Reform White Paper, expected later in 2025.

The government will now consider the PRRB’s recommendations before announcing the final settlement.

‘Barely treads water’

Responding to the announced pay award, the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) was critical, saying it “barely treads water” with inflation at 4.1% and does little to reverse a decade of real-terms pay cuts. It argued that the increase — equivalent to “the price of a Big Mac per shift” — would not stem record resignation rates, mental health absences or officer assaults, and said it will consult members on whether to accept the deal.

The Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) described the settlement as “a positive step forward” after years of devaluing police pay and welcomed the fact it would be centrally funded, helping forces avoid deeper cuts. But it warned that pay still lagged far behind 2010 levels in real terms and urged the government to commit to a long-term funding plan.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) also welcomed the move but cautioned that, despite an extra £120m from the Home Office, the award exceeded what most forces had budgeted and could force “difficult choices” without a sustainable funding settlement.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said the award fairly reflected the work officers do in keeping communities safe and stressed that competitive pay is vital to attract and retain talent. It welcomed the extra government funding to help cover the cost, noting that more than 85% of police spending goes on pay.

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