POLICE officers across Scotland are to receive an immediate 6.5% pay rise which over three years will cost the taxpayer some £125 million.

In a joint statement by the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government, the rise was described as an “increase in recognition of the essential work they do in keeping people safe”.

The award will be backdated to September 1 and applies until March 31, 2021. A mid-point constable will see an annual salary increase of £2300 – the equivalent of an additional £6000 in pay over the next 31 months.

The joint statement added: “The pay award, part of a strategic investment in policing, will see all officers below the rank of Assistant Chief Constable receive an immediate and substantial increase in their salary.

“The deal will represent an additional £125m in officer wages over the period and is consistent with efforts to bring the police budget back into financial balance. In addition to an immediate pay award, the agreement will also address issues of inequality and anomalies in relation to pay progression.

“It also contains a commitment to resolve working practices in relation to court and night shift, and offers financial stability and certainty over the period.”

The agreement follows dialogue through the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) with the “staff side” which is made up of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association (SCPOSA).

The “official side” of the PNB includes the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.

SPF general secretary Calum Steele welcomed the deal, saying: “This represents the greatest uplift to police pay for over 20 years. The value of immediate payment on pay and pension as opposed to an extended year deal cannot be ignored.”

The “official side” said that the final agreement reached is “affordable within the anticipated financial settlements now expected between central government and policing over the 31-month period covered by the award”.

Susan Deacon, chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said: “I am pleased that through constructive dialogue we have reached agreement on an investment in pay that recognises the significant and valuable work that our police officers do in keeping the people of Scotland safe.

“Police officers represent a substantial portion of the police workforce and budget. This deal over a 31-month period provides both individuals and policing with certainty as we plan and implement the further transformation of policing to meet the needs of a changing Scotland. I am also mindful of the importance of the work which is under way with the trade unions to modernise pay, reward and conditions of all police staff. I am delighted that positive progress is also being made in this area.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “The pay award represents a significant and deserved outcome for police officers.

“I’m also pleased that progress is being made in negotiations on harmonising pay and reward for police staff.

“Every day our hard-working officers and staff are keeping people safe and demonstrating the highest levels of leadership and public service.

“They’ve done this consistently since the creation of Police Scotland, clearly showing that they are our most valued asset, so it’s only right that their dedication and commitment is recognised appropriately.”

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf said: “This strong deal for Scotland’s police officers is an important recognition of the vital work they do to support safer, stronger communities.”