Police pensions crisis

Lord Edmund-Davies has a lot to answer for. The late judge chaired the police inquiry committee that in 1979 recommended a massive 45% pay rise for officers, with future awards linked to non-manual awards outside the public sector. The recommendations, which were accepted by Margaret Thatcher, were aimed at boosting flagging recruitment levels. The package succeeded in its aims but it came at a price beginning to be paid now as officers who signed up to the new deal opt to retire on full pension after 30 years' service.