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We are reaching out from the Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute and Douglas Research Lab at Simon Fraser University in Canada to invite members of your organization to take part in an international research initiative examining the implementation of structured risk assessment tools for violence or offending in mental health, forensic, and criminal justice contexts.

Please see attached the POA Conference 2026 - Day 3 Report

The conference began with the General Secretary announcing a joint campaign with the GMB who have recognition rights for custody officers involved in prisoner transfer.

300 plus POA delegates and visitors are in Eastbourne for the conference. The conference started with reports from the Standing Orders Committee and a minute's silence in tribute to members who passed away in the previous year.

Firstly, a belated happy new year to you all from the Retired Members committee.

On the 17th March John McDonnell MP Labour Hayes and Harlington and POA honorary life member asked the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of compensating people who were unable to pay (a) mortgages, (b) credit card Bills and (c) other household bills due to delays in payments from the Civil Service Pensions Scheme.

It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you of the passing of our Honorary Life Member and former SPOA General Secretary, John Renton on 24^th February 2026 at the age of 92.

Following the issuing of Branch Circular 10/2026 relating to the political levy, we have received several enquiries seeking clarification.

The Government has accepted the recommendation of the Agenda for Change Pay Review Body in respect of pay as part of a package. 

In response to representations from the POA and other Civil Service unions about this scandal the Government is implementing a temporary loan scheme to alleviate the hardship being felt by members of the pension scheme who have had payments delayed.