§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to offer increased remuneration to attract new recruits to those police forces which have been unable to meet their recruitment targets. [134451]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Police Negotiating Board is the body which, under the Police Act 1996, makes recommendations to me on issues relating to the pay and allowances of police officers.
The Metropolitan Police Service has been having particular recruitment difficulties. Following the recommendation of the Police Negotiating Board, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced to the House on 23 June 2000, Official Report, column 562, an increase of £3,327 in the London Allowance of all officers 322W in the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police who joined on or after 1 September 1994 and receive no housing allowance.
I understand that the Police Negotiating Board is currently looking at the recruitment and retention situation in other forces and that it is also setting up a working party to examine the remuneration of the federated ranks with the objective of ensuring a cohesive national pay structure which meets the current and future needs of the police service. I will take into consideration any recommendation from the PNB.