§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Hilary Benn)The second report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) on the pay of governing governors and operational managers, prison officers and related grades in England and Wales in 2003 is being published today and copies will be placed in the Library.
The PSPRB have continued to be impressed by the professionalism and dedication they found amongst the remit group staff, particularly in view of the pressures of rising prisoner numbers. They have recommended a basic rise of 2.8 per cent, which is in line with the rate of inflation in December 2002 and other review body awards.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has decided that the recommendations will be implemented in full, with effect from the operative date of the award of 1 April 2003.
The key recommendations of the report are:
A 2.8 per cent increase to basic pay rates from 1 April 2003;
Locality allowances paid to Prison Service staff in eligible areas in London and the South East will be increased from 1 April 2003:
- from £3,500 to £3,800 per annum for the top rate from £2,300 to £3,000 per annum
- for a new "higher" rate
- from £2,300 to £2,500 per annum for the middle rate
- from £1,000 to £1,100 per annum for the lower rate
An improved performance-related progression system for operational managers from 1 April 2003 and assimilation to a new pay spine retrospectively to 1 January 2003;
An increase of 2.8 per cent. to the Healthcare specialist allowance paid to prison officers from 1 April 2003. Other specialist allowances frozen at current rates; and
Other allowances increased by 2.8 per cent.