Meeting of the Parliament 17 March 2026 [Draft]
Although the pay—including sick pay—and conditions of police officers are negotiated through the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland, the issue of whether to make any discretionary payment is an operational matter for the chief constable. Sick pay can be extended beyond the standard periods of six months on full pay and a further six months on half pay, at the discretion of the chief constable.
It is worth reminding Mr Kerr that next year’s budget will show a £90 million increase in comparison with the starting position in the 2025-26 budget, in response to an ask for an increase of £104 million in the budget. It is also with worth remembering that the Conservatives made no requests for additional funding for policing during budget negotiations.