Police pay rise 2026
Police officers in England and Wales get 3.5% from 1 September 2026. That is less than the independent review body asked for. Here is what it means for your pay.
What was decided
The Home Secretary confirmed a 3.5% consolidated rise for every rank up to chief superintendent in a written statement on 15 July 2026. It takes effect from 1 September 2026, the start of the police pay year.
It is a smaller award than the Police Remuneration Review Body recommended. The review body proposed 3.9%. The Police Federation had asked for at least 7% a year for three years, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council argued for a ceiling of 2.5%. Ministers described 3.5% as the most that fits inside current force and Home Office budgets, and the Federation called it a rise on paper only.
What it adds, rank by rank
Every pay point rises by the same percentage, so the cash gain is bigger the higher you sit. These are the new full-year figures on this site, which apply 3.5% to the scale that took effect on 1 September 2025.
| Pay point | Before | From 1 Sept 2026 | A year more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constable, start | £31,164 | £32,255 | £1,091 |
| Constable, top (point 7) | £50,256 | £52,015 | £1,759 |
| Sergeant, top | £56,208 | £58,175 | £1,967 |
| Inspector, start | £63,768 | £66,000 | £2,232 |
The “before” column is the old figure worked back from the new one, so it can be a pound out.
Why 2026/27 feels smaller than 3.5%
The rise starts in September, so only seven of the twelve months of the 2026/27 tax year carry it. A top-of-scale constable gains about £1,026 gross this tax year, not the full £1,759. Tax, National Insurance and a pension contribution of 13.88% come off that too, so the take-home gain is smaller still. The full-year effect shows up in 2027/28.
Allowances that move with it
- London Weighting rises 3.5%, in line with the award.
- London Allowance and South East Allowance maximum rates also rise 3.5%.
- Protection Allowance rates go up by £8.
- Acting up: the ten-day qualifying period is to be abolished, but it will be brought in after a consultation on the rules, so it does not start automatically on 1 September.
- Maternity support leave is recommended to rise to two weeks on full pay.
See acting up pay and South East Allowance for how those work today.
When will it be paid?
Forces can only pay the new scale once the Home Office issues the formal determination under the Police Regulations 2003. At the time of writing that had not been published. Forces normally pay the new rates as soon as it arrives and backdate the difference to 1 September, so you lose nothing by waiting, but the first payslip with the new figure may come after the first September one.
Check your own pay
If your payslip changes by a different amount than this page shows, the usual reasons are your pay point, your force’s allowances, or a change in your pension tier. The calculator uses your own point, force and hours.
Common questions
How much is the 2026 police pay rise?
3.5% for every rank up to chief superintendent, from 1 September 2026. The review body recommended 3.9%.
Will the rise be backdated?
Yes. If your force pays the new scale after 1 September, the difference is normally backdated to that date.
Does the pay rise apply to PCSOs and police staff?
No. The award is for sworn officers. PCSOs and police staff are paid on local scales agreed by each force.
Does London Weighting go up?
Yes, by 3.5%, along with the maximum London and South East allowances.
Why is my take-home rise smaller than 3.5%?
Tax, National Insurance and pension come off the extra pay, you may cross into a higher pension tier, and in 2026/27 the rise applies for only seven months.