POA Circulars

For your information HMPPS have forwarded the following briefing to all Prisons in England and Wales.

Over the weekend great swathes of the population have been placed into Tier 4 with clear advice from Government regarding the clinically extremely vulnerable, that this group is advised to stay at home at all times, unless for exercise or medical appointments, and not to attend work, even if they are unable to work from home. The group list of extremely vulnerable has been updated on the www.gov.uk website.

Over the last 12 months we have been working on evolving our systems as directed by annual conference and indeed the Cuffe report. 

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the sad death of Geoff Burrows after a brave fight against illness. Sadly, Geoff died on Saturday 19th December 2020.

The POA are pleased to confirm that a recognition agreement has been signed giving the POA full recognition rights for a number of staff grades within the Mitie Care and Custody in Country Escorting Operational Control Centre based near Craigavon, Northern Ireland.

In respect of the Government announcement on the 10th December 2020, rejecting recommendation 3 we informed you that the National Executive Committee would be meeting today at 9am to determine what strategy would be adopted to protect the interests of our members falling into the category where the £3000 will not be consolidated into pay as recommended by the Pay Review Body from the 1st September 2020.

Please ensure the contents of this Circular are brought to the attention of all POA members.

On behalf of the POA National Executive Committee I have been in discussions with Professor Nick Hardwick the former Chief Inspector of Prisons and his colleagues from the University.

Please find attached our press release and attached documents in respect of the announcement today on the Government rejection of recommendation 3, which would have seen some of our lowest paid members in fair and sustainable band 3 receive a £3000 increase from 1st September 2020, had the Government adhered to the clear recommendation backed up by evidence from the Pay Review Body.

Please find attached NEC minutes for the 25th November 2020, for your information.