POLICE GO FOR SECOND JOBS TO BOOST PAY - HUHNE (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

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POLICE GO FOR SECOND JOBS TO BOOST PAY - HUHNE

April 24, 2008 3:15 PM

Chris Huhne with members of the Eastleigh police force Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne says that the Government's failure to honour its pay promises to the police force have driven many Hampshire officers to seek second jobs.

Mr Huhne says that the numbers asking permission to take on a second job - a requirement of the police contract - have soared by 70 per cent in Hampshire so far this year.

"The Government's refusal to honour the pay arbitration award for the police seems to have led to a sharp increase in numbers asking for permission to boost their incomes. Last year, 33 officers were granted permission but so far this year the number is 56 when expressed on a comparable basis at an annual rate.

"I detect a lot of disillusion in the police force because of the Government's failure to honour the arbitration award, particularly since the police are not allowed to strike. If such basic rights are removed, ministers should be honour bound to pay arbitration awards."

Mr Huhne represents a large number of officers who live in the Eastleigh constituency because of the ease of travel around Hampshire, and says that he has rarely experienced such anger with ministers.

"Police officers are too professional to let their anger interfere with their duties, and the Chief Constable would not give permission if second jobs were to undermine officers' ability to perform. But it is a worrying trend when so many police seem to be deciding that another job is the only option they can choose" said Mr Huhne.