Renfrewshire North and West MSP Natalie Don has welcomed a new pay deal that has been agreed for police officers.

A 7% increase to pay and allowances, which will be backdated to April 1, 2023, ensures a cumulative increase of 12.35% in police officer pay since April 2022.

The agreement was reached following extensive dialogue and negotiation through the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) – a body made up of representatives from the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland, the Scottish Government, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Scottish Chief Police Officers Staff Association (SCPOSA).

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Ms Don said police officers perform an essential role in keeping communities across Renfrewshire safe and this pay deal recognised their hard work and valuable contribution.

The SNP politician added: "Despite the difficult financial environment created by Westminster, I strongly welcome the direct action taken by the SNP Government to invest £11.6 billion in policing since 2013 to ensure that people in Renfrewshire North and West remain safe. 

"I would like to recognise and thank those on the Police Negotiating Board who worked in good faith to achieve an agreement that works for all parties involved.

"In Scotland, we have an SNP Government that is committed to keeping communities in Renfrewshire North and West safe - whilst also working to support those responsible for doing so through the Westminster cost-of-living crisis."