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Legal challenge for police pay Police pay battle goes to court
(about 6 hours later)
A legal challenge to the government's decision not to back date a police pay rise is to begin at the High Court. A legal challenge to the government's decision not to back-date a police pay rise is to begin at the High Court.
The judicial review has been brought by the Police Federation, which supports rank and file officers, and is being backed by more senior officers. The judicial review application has been brought by the Police Federation, which represents officers up to the rank of chief inspector.
The decision not to back date the pay rise sparked fury amongst police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The decision not to back-date the pay rise sparked fury amongst police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The government claims that staging the increase is essential for the country's economic stability.The government claims that staging the increase is essential for the country's economic stability.
The review application is also being backed by more senior officers.
Lawyers for the police will argue at the judicial review that ministers breached a deal.Lawyers for the police will argue at the judicial review that ministers breached a deal.
The police say that a 2.5% pay rise was agreed, but that not backdating it to the beginning of the police's financial year in September makes it worth just 1.9% annually. The police say that a 2.5% pay rise was agreed, but that not back-dating it to the beginning of the police's financial year in September makes it worth just 1.9% annually.
Ministers, however, claim that staging the increase is essential for economic stability, and that since 1997 constables have had an overall rise of 10% above inflation.Ministers, however, claim that staging the increase is essential for economic stability, and that since 1997 constables have had an overall rise of 10% above inflation.
The situation is in sharp contrast to that in Scotland, where officers have received a backdated pay rise in full. Both Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have argued the award is appropriate and is in line with inflation targets - in particular, it is within the government's 2% public sector pay limit.
The situation is in contrast to that in Scotland, where officers have received the back-dated pay rise in full.
Thousands of police officers from across the country organised a protest march in London in January over the issue.Thousands of police officers from across the country organised a protest march in London in January over the issue.
The hearing at the High Court in London is expected to last two days.The hearing at the High Court in London is expected to last two days.