On the 27th November, NCOA General Secretary Simon Boon wrote to the Home Secretary following the announcement of a public sector 'pay freeze'. Her response can be read here.
Simon Boon
NCOA General Secretary
1 Dundonald Avenue
Warrington
Cheshire
WA4 6JT
17 December 2020
Dear Mr Boon,
Thank you for your letter of 27 November 2020 regarding the NCA Pay Review Process for 2021/22. The NCA is an essential part of UK Law Enforcement. I want to emphasise my appreciation for the tireless efforts of the whole NCA workforce in continuing to disrupt the highest harm serious and organised criminals and groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I appreciate your members’ disappointment with the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recent announcement that pay rises in the public sector will be restrained and targeted in 2021/22. The very severe impact which the pandemic has had on the wider economy and labour market has, however, required the Government to take the tough but necessary decision to pause pay awards for the majority of the public sector to protect jobs and investment in public services. We believe that this is an equitable approach since the public sector workforce has been shielded from the pandemic’s worst economic effects both in terms of job losses and earnings. Public sector pay was 7% ahead of the private sector before COVID-19 and levels of employment have increased whilst the number of people in employment elsewhere has fallen by 782,000 since March. However, those who earn less than £24,000 (full time equivalent) will not have their pay restrained in 2021/22 and will receive an increase of at least £250.
I also understand your concerns about the NCA’s longer term pay transformation process and the need for this to keep pace with comparators, especially in UK law enforcement. My position on this remains unchanged and I am confident that the Agency can attract, recruit and retain the right people, particularly through the introduction of Spot Rates for intelligence and investigations roles. In spite of the pay restraint in place for the next financial year, therefore, I am keen that the NCA Remuneration Review Body (NCARRB) should review the usual range of evidence and produce a report.
Regrettably the timing of the Spending Review announcement has delayed this year’s pay process, but I expect to issue a Remit Letter to the NCARRB Chair early in the New Year.