Prison officers threaten action over 6% pay rise

The Government is expected to trigger a dispute over public pay tomorrow by announcing a 6 per cent pay rise for Britain's 30,000 prison officers.

The increase – more than that being offered to police officers, teachers and NHS staff – has been decided upon by an independent pay review body and could lead to cuts of £40m in prison budgets.

The award will drive up overcrowding in jails and derail plans to build more cells. It could also threaten delicate government negotiations regarding police pay.

But angry prison staff leaders warned last night of industrial action in jails because the proposed increase will be paid in two segments.

Prison Service chiefs have told the independent Prison Service Pay Review Body, which has recommended the £55m package, they can afford to pay staff only an extra 1.8 per cent, about £16m.

The pay award – which has stunned Whitehall – is likely to lead to a freeze having to be imposed on programmes to build new jails. The prison population is already at a record 68,500 and is projected to rise to 71,500 by September next year.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has already fought a bruising battle with police officers over pay and conditions and on 6 February the Police Federation will vote on whether to accept his offer.

Yesterday, at a police recruitment roadshow held in Leicester, Mr Blunkett made a further series of concessions, including the restoration of overtime payments removed during earlier pay negotiations.

The Home Secretary said officers on difficult jobs such as terrorism duties and long-term surveillance would see a return to double pay, as would those working bank holidays. He also promised to inject 30 per cent extra spending on police vehicles and other capital costs.

Today Mr Blunkett will stage a conference for chief constables, police authority members and Police Federation representatives in Whitehall in an attempt to persuade them to back fully a modernisation programme outlined in last week's Police Reform Bill.

But rank-and-file police officers may feel short-changed by comparison with the offer being made to prison officers.

Nevertheless, jail staff are unlikely to show gratitude for a pay increase that they feel is long overdue.

Threats of industrial action at prisons are likely if, as is expected, the Government announces that the award will be staggered to cover a 15-month period – with only 3.5 per cent paid this year and the remaining 2.5 per cent introduced next January.

The award is equivalent to 4.8 per cent over 12 months. Teachers received 3.5 per cent and NHS staff 3.6 per cent.

Prison officers in London will see their salaries increased by about £960 from the current level of £16,100, with an additional increase from London weighting rising by up to £500 to £3,500, a total package of £20,500. Police constables in the capital earn around £24,000.

But prison officers argue their pay levels have been ignored for more than a decade. They also feel snubbed by a government decision to exclude them from the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, which is being awarded to police and other members of the emergency services.

A union source said: "We are paid less than airport baggage handlers but we know the cuts they are going to have to make will make life impossible for officers."