Liberal Democrats back local police force fight for better pay

1.26.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jan 2008

Haringey police officers were joined by Liberal Democrat Councillors on Wednesday on the Police Federation March as they marched through London in search of better pay.

Cllrs Ron Aiken and Monica Whyte lent their support to over 200 officers from the borough who attended the 22,000 strong rally protesting against the Government's rejection of a 2.5% pay award for all police.

The award was recommended on the advice of the Independent Police Arbitration Tribunal but was turned down by the Government because of the public sector pay squeeze.

Earlier in the week at a Full Council meeting, when challenged by Cllr Aitken, the Labour administration failed to come out and support the officer's call for better pay.

Cllr Ron Aitken, Liberal Democrat Policing Spokesperson adds:

"The police in Haringey do a fantastic job, working hard to keep our streets safe. It's only right that their salaries reflect this. The Liberal Democrats are proud to back the police on this issue whereas the Labour run Council praise the police in one breath, but refuse to support them in another."

Cllr Monica Whyte (Hornsey) adds:

"All over London the Police are being squeezed to breaking point. To not recognise their hard work by failing of offer a fair pay deal is outrageous."

Notes:

Cllr Aitken and Whyte met with Sgt Ken Marsh and other Police Federation representatives from Haringey Borough Police