UK Police overtime bill hits £3.8bn over 10 years

Police officers claimed £3.8bn in overtime payments over the past decade, according to new figures.

Research by the Policy Exchange think-tank claims spending in some forces is “out of control”, although it says others are working hard to reduce pay-outs.

It detailed figures which peaked in 2007/08 when officers in England and Wales took home £437m on top of their normal wages.

Blair Gibbs, from the Policy Exchange, told Sky News: “It can’t be institutionalised, it can’t be something that is expected just to be awarded and then given.

“It has to be something that is used only when is absolutely necessary when you can’t foresee and you can’t plan for the policing that you need.”

Police officers’ pay has already been frozen and Home Secretary Theresa May told forces to expect further cuts.

John Apter, chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation, told Sky News morale among officers is the lowest he has known in 20 years.

He said: “The reality is that officers have to work tremendously long hours to earn these high figures and I think there are a tiny proportion of officers who earn the figures quoted.

“In many, many cases, officers aren’t asking to do the overtime – they are being told they have to.”

He said some colleagues feel so disillusioned that they are questioning whether it was time officers were allowed to legally strike.

The first half of the influential Winsor report, which is likely to recommend sweeping changes to overtime and other areas, will be published on Tuesday.
Source: Sky News