Scotland’s police will receive a 2.5 per cent pay rise backdated to 1 September this year after Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill approved the Police Arbitration Tribunal’s recommendation of last week. 

The Tribunal had made the recommendation on pay rises after a breakdown in police pay negotiations last year.

Scottish Police Federation general secretary Joe Grant welcomed the move:

“I would like to congratulate the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on their independent stance on this important issue. This decision reflects the co-operative and constructive approach towards policing that the Scottish Government has demonstrated since coming into office.”

MacAskill said that Scotland’s police fully deserved the rise, and that the Government was happy to implement it.

“Police officers have to do a difficult job, often in challenging circumstances.  We want to ensure that they are paid appropriately for the job they do.  I believe that we are well served by our police officers and I want to acknowledge the contribution they make day in and day out making our communities safer and stronger.

“The Scottish Government believes that the recommendation made by the Tribunal is a fair and affordable one. That is why we have decided to implement it  in full with immediate effect,” he said.