§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons for reducing the pay of probation service trainees from a scale of £4,551 to £5,529 a year to £3,558 to £5,382 a year; what is the percentage reduction in real terms; what is the estimated cash saving in aggregate; what representations he has received against the cut; and what consultations he has had.
§ Mr. MellorThe special and generally more favourable treatment in salaries and other financial support given to probation students sponsored by the Home Office, as compared with other social work students, had its origin in a need found in the early 1970s to attract more applicants. In recent years the number of suitable applicants has much exceeded the numbers required.
The new rates are based on reductions ranging from 23 per cent. at the lower end of the scale to 0.5 per cent. at the upper end, the object being to give priority to attracting suitable mature recruits eligible for the upper points on the scale. They only apply to new entrants, not to students already in training. It is estimated that the saving in a full year will be £300,000.
The change was proceeded by discussions with organisations representing employers and chief officers in the probation service and with the National Association of Probation Officers. A number of representations has subsequently been received in particular, from or on behalf of NAPO.