ONE GROUP of state employees is seemingly exempt from the government's tough line on public sector pay. The police have been awarded an inflation-busting 6.5 per cent from this month.
1992 will be the fourth year running that Britain's 130,000 coppers have topped the government's salaries league. In 1989, police got 9.25 per cent; in 1990, 9.75 per cent; and in 1991, 8.5 per cent.
Even civil service chiefs, military supremos and judges saw pay pegged at 4 per cent this year. Local government white collar staff got 4.1 per cent.
Prime minister John Major last week hinted at a 2 per cent public sector pay norm in the coming round. Wonder how the boys in blue will do in 1993?