08 November 2002
Edinburgh and Lothian Police Federation is calling for the force to receive city status to match the pay formula of the Metropolitan Police in London. This would give central government responsibility for police funding.
A similar weighting scheme exists in the Southeast of England where the police earn at least an extra £1,800 to cover the high cost of living. The starting salary for recruits working outside London and the Southeast is £18,264, rising to £20,436 after six months' training. Police in Edinburgh argue that this is not enough in a city where the average house price is more than £130,000.
Calum Laurie, secretary for the Lothian and Borders Police Federation, told Public Finance: 'There has been a massive increase in house prices. An officer joining the service just cannot get on to the housing ladder in Edinburgh. They have to move out as far as 30 miles.'
PFnov2002
