Patrol CompanionThe award in brief
- Police officers in England and Wales receive a consolidated pay increase of 3.5% to all ranks and pay points.
- It takes effect from 1 September 2026.
- The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) had recommended 3.9%.
- London weighting, and the maximum rates of London allowance and South East England allowance, also rise by 3.5%. All protection allowance rates rise by £8.
The Home Secretary announced the award in a written statement to Parliament on 15 July 2026, the same day the PRRB's twelfth report was published. The statement describes 3.5% as "the highest award that is manageable within existing police force and Home Office budgets".
Sources
Home Secretary's written statement HCWS264, 15 July 2026.
How the figure was reached
Each year the Home Office asks the PRRB to recommend how the pay award should be applied. Organisations including the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs' Council, the Police Federation and the Police Superintendents' Association submit evidence first.
| Stage | Figure |
|---|---|
| Home Office evidence to the PRRB: award it assessed as affordable for most forces in 2026-27 | Up to 2.5% |
| PRRB recommendation | 3.9% |
| Government decision, 15 July 2026 | 3.5% |
For comparison, the Government accepted the PRRB's recommendation of 4.2% for 2025-26.
Sources
Home Office evidence to the PRRB, 2026-27; written statement HCWS264.
What 3.5% adds to basic pay
The table shows selected pay points. The 2026 figures are the 1 September 2025 rates with 3.5% applied, rounded to the nearest pound. The last column shows what the PRRB's 3.9% would have given.
| Rank and pay point | From 1 Sept 2025 | From 1 Sept 2026 | Increase a year | At 3.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable, pay point 1 | £31,164 | £32,255 | +£1,091 | £32,379 |
| Constable, pay point 7 | £50,256 | £52,015 | +£1,759 | £52,216 |
| Sergeant, pay point 4 | £56,208 | £58,175 | +£1,967 | £58,400 |
| Inspector, pay point 3 | £68,982 | £71,396 | +£2,414 | £71,672 |
| Chief inspector, pay point 3 | £73,149 | £75,709 | +£2,560 | £76,002 |
| Superintendent, pay point 4 | £99,015 | £102,481 | +£3,466 | £102,877 |
| Chief superintendent, pay point 3 | £115,785 | £119,837 | +£4,052 | £120,301 |
Inspectors and chief inspectors shown on the scale for forces outside London. Constables shown on the scale for officers who joined on or after 1 April 2013.
See every pay point, with estimated take-home, on the police pay scales 2026 page.
Allowances
| Allowance | Change from 1 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| London weighting | Increased by 3.5%, in line with the pay award |
| London allowance | Maximum rate increased by 3.5% |
| South East England allowance | Maximum rates increased by 3.5% |
| Protection allowance | All rates increased by £8 |
Other changes in the statement
- Acting up allowance: the PRRB recommended abolishing the ten-day qualifying period from 1 September 2026. This has been accepted, but will be brought in after consultation on amendments to the determinations.
- Maternity support leave: the PRRB recommended increasing it to two weeks on full pay from 1 September 2026. The second week of full pay will be available to officers who meet the service requirements for statutory paternity pay, and the same change will apply to adoption support leave. Both will be brought in after consultation.
When it reaches your pay
Officers' pay points are set in Annex F of the Police Regulations 2003, which the Home Office amends by determination after each award. The most recent amendment, published in Circular 011/2026 on 31 July 2026, gave effect to the 2025 award. The 2026 award takes effect from 1 September 2026, so it applies from that date even if a force pays it later.
Police staff pay is negotiated separately, through the Police Staff Council, and is not covered by this award.
Key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 15 July 2026 | PRRB report published and the 3.5% award announced |
| 31 July 2026 | Circular 011/2026 published, amending Annex F for the 2025 award |
| 1 September 2026 | 3.5% award and allowance changes take effect |
More on police pay
Patrol Companion app
Add overtime to any day on your shift calendar and see the month's total, with your salary saved in the app. Offences and powers for England and Wales are in there too.