PR 305: PRISON OFFICERS UNION ACCUSES POLITICIANS OF NAUSEATING HYPOCRISY OVER PAY AWARD

The Leaders of the Prison Officer’s Union have slammed UK Government Ministers accusing them of nauseating hypocrisy following the announcement by The Prison Service Pay Review Body that Prison staff will receive a 3.5% pay increase for the coming year.

The increase comes at a time when inflation is sitting at 3% and millions of workers are facing a cost of living crisis fuelled by global conflict, soaring energy prices and an increase in everyday essentials such as food, housing, clothing etc. 

Anger has been stoked by the fact that the 3.5% award for Prison Officers is significantly below the 5% MPs will receive over the same period. 

Speaking following the announcement Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA said:

“A 3.5% increase in Prison Officer pay at a time when inflation is around 3% and we have a cost of living crisis is a kick in the teeth for our members. 

It is nauseating to see MPs on almost £100,000 a year being awarded a 5% increase and our members, with all the dangers and stresses they face carrying out their duties, receiving just 3%. 

This shows once again how detached the political class is from workers who live in the real world, not the Westminster bubble.

The POA will redouble our campaigning efforts to ensure Prison Officers are valued and rewarded for the work our members do.”

Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the POA added:

“Our members work in one of the most hostile working environments anywhere in the world, delivering essential public services that society would not function without and this is how they get treated. 

The rate of inflation during 2025 averaged 3.6% and this award will do little to raise the standard of living of my members who are struggling with ever increasing energy, fuel and food costs. 

The prison service already has a recruitment and retention crisis, if Government Ministers and the Pay Review Body believe this is going to help, they are living in cloud cuckoo land.

Let me be clear, if Prison Officers in England and Wales had their industrial rights restored, I would now be balloting them for strike action over this insulting award.”

 

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POA Press Office                                                  020 8803 0255 Option 7