CIRC 080: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2026

Please bring the contents of this Circular to the attention of all POA members.

 

Immigration status

The POA have been made aware of confusion surrounding the exemption status of foreign national Prison Officers. POA members should note that the salary threshold exemptions for Prison Officers until December 2027 applies to all Prison Officer grades bands 3-5, as confirmed below:

“We are content that the provisions should not impede career progression and other roles which fit within the same Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 3314) code, such as Supervising Officers (Band 4) and Prison Custody Managers (Band 5). Individuals in these roles should be able to benefit from the original concession arrangements.”

 

CAPITA

I want to acknowledge that we are very aware that the situation with Capita and delays to pensions, death benefits and the medical inefficiency process remain ongoing. As a Union we have an escalation route but only to escalate cases where bereavement or severe financial hardship are a factor. Please email the office at Cronin House for support if you require some assistance with any cases like this.

Another escalation route available to you is to write to your local MP. This actually seems a more effective route at present. We meet weekly with other trade unions and the Cabinet Office where we can report particular issues and common themes but unfortunately there is no quick fix.  Along with the other Unions we will continue to push for the pension administration to be brought back in house but even if we do achieve this longer term, it doesn’t help the people being affected now. The current focus remains on resolving the backlog. The annual benefit statements should now be available online via the CAPITA Civil Service Pensions web site but again, issues with the accuracy of them have also been raised. We are doing what we can but absolutely acknowledge that the current position is unacceptable and it should never have been allowed to happen.

Members affected by CAPITA can access FAQ’s via the enclosed link. If your annual pension benefits statement is inaccurate (there is a good chance it is), raise it with CAPITA via the e mail address on their website.

https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/your-pension/yearly-pension-updates/annual-benefit-statement/abs-faqs/

 

Written Submissions Independent Prison Review

Enclosed for your information are the POA written submissions covering the Independent Review into Prisons in England and Wales. Amber Rudd is overseeing the Independent Review into Prisons in England and Wales. The submission date has now closed, with expected recommendations and a completed report due by the year end.

 

Naloxone

POA members are reminded that we are still in a National Dispute over HMPPS plans to force all Bands 3-5 to administer the prescription drug Naloxone. Despite our best efforts the employer has refused to accept that this alters our terms and conditions (which it clearly does) and they intend to mandate its use.

Some disingenuous Governors are now telling staff that it is mandatory for them to train in its use and are attempting to force staff onto Naloxone training.

For the avoidance of doubt, the only people who are trained in Naloxone are volunteers and new recruits. No Prison Officer can be forced to administer Naloxone even if they are trained. We will not stand back and witness staff being bullied by senior leaders.

All POA members are encouraged to reflect on the voluntary tasks they currently perform for an employer that continues to treat them with contempt.

No POA member is obliged to volunteer for any additional task that is not contained within their job description or forms part of their terms and conditions.

 

Pay Submissions

I can confirm that the POA written Pay Submissions for the remit group pay award 2027/28 have been completed and submitted within the deadline. I am not aware if HMPPS have submitted their proposals on time.

 

All the best.

 

Mark Fairhurst
National Chair

 

 

ENCLOSURE

Attachments

• POA Circular 080-2026 - National Chair Update September 2026.pdf

  0.84 Mb, pdf