HOME OFFICE News
Release (152/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 25
August 2008
An overhaul of the
police injury compensation system to target officers most in need
of support and meet the demands of modern policing, were set out
in a consultation launched by Home Office Minister Tony McNulty today.
Measures in a new review include extending survivor benefits when
an officer dies in the line of duty to unmarried and same sex
partners. Survivor benefits to bereaved spouses or partners will
also be made payable for life, where previously financial support
was stopped on remarriage or cohabitation.
The plans would simplify parts of the injury awards system for
both administrators and officers, and would contain a new approach
to considering injury awards. One proposal is for a new clearer
definition of what qualifies as an injury, to remove any confusion
and ensure the retention of valuable reassurance for officers
knowing they are covered even when they have to make split-second
decisions in the line of duty.
Policing Minister Tony McNulty said:
"I am committed to ensuring we have an injury compensation
system suitable for the challenges of modern day policing which
recognises the demanding and sometimes dangerous roles that police
officers carry out.
"I hope the changes will provide peace of mind and
assurances to police officers and their families, while ensuring
the system is as effective as possible, administered consistently
and targets help where it is needed most."
The consultation covers the criteria for eligibility for an
injury award and the structure of benefits for officers and their
families. It also examines changes which would help police
authorities administer and monitor the injury benefits system more effectively.
Other key proposals include:
* Simplifying injury and survivor awards so they are easier to
understand and apply. For instance, if an officer dies or is
totally disabled within one year of an injury in the line of duty,
financial support will as a matter of course receive five times
their pensionable salary. Currently financial support is based on
four times the officer's actual total salary if that worked
out to be a lesser amount.
* Making injury and death payments fairer. The pensionable salary
on which lump sum awards are based will be changed so that it is
based on average pensionable pay. This will take account of a
person's working hours averaged over his or her police career
rather than simply the pensionable pay at the time the officer
ceased to serve. This would make the system fairer for officers
who have not worked full-time throughout their career or have
reduced their hours shortly before the injury.
* Revising the eligibility criteria and clarifying the definition
for injuries received in the line of duty. This clarification will
mean officers will be specifically covered for injury benefits as
a result of a terrorist attack and will focus benefits on those
injuries received in the line of duty. Proposals will also include
withdrawing cover for injury or death sustained on a journey to or
from work where the cause was not related to police duty - to
bring injury benefits for the police service in line with injury
benefits for other public servants.
* Clearer definition of eligibility to apply for injury awards.
In order to make a clearer link with police duty proposals include
introducing a five year time limit for new post-retirement claims,
except in the case of specified progressive illnesses and
specified conditions with a long incubation period.
* Introducing an absolute cut-off for new claims at age 65 or
State Pension Age at the time if over 65.
* Replacing injury pension reviews at age 65 (or the State
Pension Age at the time if over 65) by introducing a new minimum
retirement income guarantee. Previously officers injured early in
their career could have suffered a large reduction in financial
support in their retirement if the review took them to the lowest
pay banding. The new income guarantee will protect them from this.
* No longer paying injury pensions in cases where a former
officer has suffered only a very slight loss of earning capacity
as a result of the injury. In cases where the loss of earning
capacity is ten percent or less the former officer will receive a
lump sum payment in recognition of the injury. This will allow
benefits to be targeted where they are needed most.
Proposals announced today will not affect officers who have
already retired at the point the changes are implemented. They
will still be dealt with under the system as it currently stands,
even if they have not yet applied for an award.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Police injury benefits are payable separately from the Police
Pension Scheme to officers who have left the service and are
permanently disabled as a result of an injury received in the line
of duty.
2. The consultation will run for 12 weeks, ending on 18 November.
3. Key changes to the injury benefits system aim to be agreed by
December 2008 so they can be implemented as soon as possible in 2009.