Increase to Federation Subscriptions

Today we have learnt that the Joint Central Committee have voted to increase Federation Subscriptions by £4.03 per month from January 1st 2010. In real terms for a basic tax payer this means a net increase of around £3.20 per calendar month after tax relief.

Clearly this is a decision taken by the Joint Central Committee which local Branch Boards are not party too. We will be seeking clarification of the rationale for this rise at a series of meetings between National Executive Officers and Joint Branch Board Officials next week. We will provide a further update to members after those meetings.

We are aware, as reported in the August Police Magazine, of changes to legal aid provision and the introduction of means testing for Crown Court Cases which will have a significant effect on future Federation Expenditure. This rise in expenditure is inevitable and necessary if we are to prevent officers from being left vulnerable and without proper legal protection when facing criminal charges arising from the execution of their duty. Whilst we anticipated a significant rise to membership subscriptions because of this issue we will endeavour to satisfy ourselves, and our members, that processes are in place to ensure that the Joint Central Committee, and all the Separate Rank Committees, are operating efficiently across all business areas and that this level of rise is justified and necessary.