Police descend on Parliament to voice concerns

12.50.00pm GMT Thu 31st Jan 2008

Representatives from Greater Manchester Police travelled to London

MP for Manchester Withington, John Leech, has congratulated the 25,000 police officers who travelled to Parliament on 23rd January to join in a protest over pay.

John Leech MP said:

'The government's refusal to accept the full recommendations of the Police Arbitration Tribunal and back date pay has seen trust between the government and the Police Federation at an all-time low.

'It is accepted that police officers are not able to show their disgust by striking as professionals in other fields of work would. I wholeheartedly applaud those police officers who made their feelings known by travelling to London.'

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Notes to editors:

John Leech MP tabled a Parliamentary Motion supporting police officers, the text of which is set out for your information below:

EDM 777

POLICE PAY AND INDEPENDENT ARBITRATION

24.01.2008

That this House welcomes the lobbying of Parliament by up to 25,000 police officers on 23rd January 2008 following the Government's refusal to accept in full the recommendations of the police arbitration tribunal; notes with concern that the Home Secretary was not prepared to be bound by the decision of the independent tribunal; and therefore calls upon the Government to bring forward proposals for measures to ensure that in future decisions of the police arbitration tribunal will be binding on both the police and the Government.