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Policing and Criminal Justice Minister Nick Herbert has written to officers across England and Wales ahead of the Police Federation march in London to set out the government’s agenda for policing.

He outlines the government's support for police officers and sets out plans for the creation of a Police Professional Body to ensure that officers have the right skills and training for the future. He also reminds officers of the work the Government has done to end centralised targets, cut bureaucracy and restore discretion.

On changes to pay and conditions, he states that it is right in principle to reward officers for the job they do and the skills they have rather than time served. But he emphasises that the government will take great care to ensure that police officers are fairly treated.

Mr Herbert said: 'As a service spending some £14 billion a year it is right for the police to make their contribution to reducing the record budget deficit. 

'Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has set out that forces can make savings of over £1 billion a year while maintaining the service to the public. The two-year pay freeze and better procurement will help to make further savings.

'Existing police pay and conditions were designed more than 30 years ago which is why we asked Tom Winsor to carry out his independent review based on the principle that pay should reflect an officer’s job, skills and hard work, rather than simply time served. These changes are currently subject to formal negotiations.

'The pay freeze and pension changes are applying across the public sector, but we will continue to ensure that police officers are rewarded for the exceptional job they do.'

See the full copy of the letter from the Minister: The case for police reform.