AQW 25381/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 08/11/2021
Answered On Date: 11/11/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice to detail the reasons for the delay in implementing annual pay increase increments for PSNI staff.

Answer:

On 12 August 2021, following my approval of the recommendations made by the Police Remuneration Review Body, my officials invited the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) to submit pay remit business cases for proposed pay awards for all police officers for 2021-22.

To date, the pay remits for police officers for 2021-22, including requests for incremental pay progression, have not been received by my Department. You will wish to note that these pay remits also require approval from the Minister of Finance.

My Department has received pay remits in respect of two PSNI staff groups for 2021-22 and a number of other remits are awaited. Upon receipt of 2021-22 pay remits for all PSNI officer and police staff, with or without entitlement to incremental pay progression, my officials will continue to engage with PSNI colleagues and undertake the requisite approvals process in line with public sector pay policy as speedily as possible.