Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP for Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom has thanked a local MP for raising the issue of the south east allowance in Parliament.
Liz has long campaigned for Cambridgeshire Police officers to be in receipt of the allowance, highlighting the ‘unfair’ disparity with neighbouring forces.
She said that members in Cambridgeshire often worked alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, who are paid more for essentially doing the same job.
“It’s massively unfair,” she said.
Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, brought up the issue during Home Office questions.
Mr Obese-Jecty asked the Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, if she would address the imbalance currently experienced by Cambridgeshire Police officers.
Speaking in Parliament, he said that under the Police Regulations 2003, officers in Hertfordshire receive an allowance of up to £3,000 and those in Bedfordshire £2,000.
“Officers in Cambridgeshire are not eligible for the south east allowance despite being in the same tri-force area,” he said.
“The policing minster has previously informed me that the Government will give careful consideration to representations regarding the south East allowance, so will she take steps to award the south east allowance to Cambridgeshire Constabulary police officers.”
Dame Diana said: “I’m certainly willing to look at representations on that.”
Posting on social media after the session, Mr Obese-Jecty said: “This is yet another example of how police in Cambridgeshire are short-changed.
“I will continue to press the Policing Minister for improved resources and I am glad that she is willing to consider the issue.”
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz welcomed Mr Obese-Jecty’s question.
“It is inherently unfair that our members can working with someone who gets £3,000 more than them for essentially doing the same job,” she said.
“Cambridgeshire is the only force that doesn’t receive the South East Allowance that collaborates with two other forces that are in receipt of it. It needs addressing.
“Our Chief Constable is supportive, our Police and Crime Commissioner is supportive, our MPs are supportive, and I am grateful to Mr Obese-Jecty for raising it in Parliament.
“We look forward to hearing the response from government, and would welcome a meeting with the Policing Minister to take this forward for our members.”