- Conference
- 2024 Police, Probation and CAFCASS Conference
- Date
- 7 June 2024
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference, we have seen over recent years the restrictions, scrutiny and regulation placed on Police Staff has increased considerably bringing us even closer to the limitations placed on police officers. We are all aware that the needs of our members when faced with misconduct, performance, vetting and many other restrictive requirements put our members very much in the same space as officers.
Our members work alongside and even do the same job as police officers who already enjoy tax relief on their Federation, Superintendents Association and Chief Police Officers Association subscriptions.
In order to earn recognition for tax relief from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) the activities of an organisation have to be mainly directed at helping members of a profession to do their jobs better.
His Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have accepted that certain sectors of UNISON members in the NHS are in the main, directed toward the development and promotion of education, knowledge and professional standards and therefore qualify for tax relief. This is a position that was negotiated by UNISON with HMRC.
Most of our Police Staff members can be considered to be in professional roles. We are all covered by the ‘Standards of Professional Behaviour’, the ‘Code of Ethics’ and ‘Vetting Standards’ that are no different to that of police officers. We are all subject to the ‘Barred and Advisory List’.
Trade union membership for Police Staff is much more than being involved with pay and terms and conditions. Our members are subject to far more scrutiny now than they have ever been. They are supported by the union in matters of misconduct arising from complaints from the public, issues of professional performance, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigations, subjects of police investigations, Coroners Court and declarations relating to their private life, their immediate family, and their personal financial health.
As the lines of difference between police officers and Police Staff have diminished, our members are in far more need of the support of their trade union than they ever have been.
Should we be successful in achieving tax relief for subscriptions, it will likely see an increase in membership.
Conference calls on the SGE to:
1)Contact the Health Service group to get advice on how they negotiated a settlement with HMRC.
2)Create a claim to negotiate with HMRC for the purpose of achieving tax relief for Police Staff trade union subscriptions.
3)Report to branches regularly on any progress in achieving this aim.