§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if it is his policy to encourage these with experience of other professions and with skills developed in other careers to join the police; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of police rates of pay to attract such recruits; [105610]
(2) what account is taken of their prior skills and experience in setting the starting pay of new entrants to the police forces of England and Wales; [105607]
(3) what assessment he has made of the recruitment of mature individuals by the police and of the pay levels of such new entrants in their previous employment. [105614]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe recruitment of police officers is a matter for individual forces. There is no upper age limit for recruits, and applicants of all ages and background who fulfil the force entry criteria are encouraged to join. Clearly there is value in recruiting people with a wide range of skills and experience. Centrally held data are not available on the ages of recruits or their previous work experience.
Police rates of pay are contained within Police Regulations. There is an annual pay award for federated ranks, settled by a formula which keeps police pay in line with inflation. In 1998, pay was increased by 4.0 per cent. and in 1999 by 3.6 per cent.
Starting pay for recruits has been raised as a possible deterrent to applications from mature candidates who would be otherwise suitable for appointment. We are considering the issue and will refer it to the Police Negotiating Board if this seems warranted.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of starting salary was for new recruits to the police forces of England and Wales in each of the last three years(a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of earnings. [105604]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe annual pay award for federated ranks is paid with effect from 1 September each year. The starting salary for appointments on probation (new recruits to the police service) in the year from 1 September 1997 was £15,438; it was £16,056 in the year from 1 September 1988 and £16,635 in the year from 1 September 1999.
At current rates of pay, a recruit will receive a pay rise to £18,612 on completion of 32 weeks initial training and a further rise, on completion of 2 years probation, to £19,713.
In 1997, the starting pay of appointments on probation (£15,438) was 80 per cent. of national average earnings; in 1998 (£16,056), 81 per cent. and in 1999 (£16,635), 79 per cent.