The National Crime Agency (NCA) Remuneration Review Body has recently made recommendations on pay and allowances for NCA officers designated with operational powers. I would like to thank the Chair and members of the review body for their work on gathering evidence from the NCA, the Home Office, HMT and the trade unions, resulting in their detailed and thorough report. The review body’s work is of great value, ensuring that officers of a lower grade than deputy director designated with operational powers are properly remunerated for their work.
This Government are committed to helping the NCA in its fight against serious and organised crime (SOC). That is why they commissioned an independent review of SOC capabilities, funding and governance and why they committed to strengthening the NCA in their election manifesto.
SOC is evolving rapidly in both volume and complexity. I have been clear that the NCA needs to transform to meet the threat head on. Part of this transformation includes being able to attract, recruit and retain the right people. This review body’s recommendations help support the NCA to achieve that goal and are as follows:
For officers on the standard ranges:
the pay range minima for grades 1 to 4 increase by 2.5%;
the pay range minima for grades 5 and 6 increase by 4.25% and 4.5% respectively;
the pay range maxima for grades 1 to 6 increase by 1.5%;
and all officers should receive a consolidated pay award that maintains their percentile position on the pay range.
The spot rates for grades 4 and 5 are increased by 3% and 4.5% respectively.
London weighting allowance is increased by 2.5% to £3,424
Shift allowance is increased to 20% of base pay.
These awards will be fully funded within the NCA’s existing budget. The small number of officers electing to remain on the terms and conditions of pre-cursor organisations will remain on their previous pay rates.
This award represents a significant real terms increase, the third year in a row where this is the case. The average salary at the NCA is £36,794, this is up by 4.3% since 2018.
The Government continue to balance the need to ensure fair pay for public sector workers with protecting funding for frontline services and ensuring affordability for taxpayers. The effects of coronavirus continue to have a significant impact on the economy and the fiscal position and the Government will need to continue to take this into account in agreeing public sector pay awards.
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