Supplementary evidence from the Northern
Ireland Office
In response to Mr Anderson's question (Question
18), I sought to explain the steps being taken to reduce the unit
costs of staff in the NIPS. For clarification, I would point out
that there is a differential between the salaries paid to prison
officers who served in that role during The Troubles and those
who have been recruited in more recent years. The salaries of
staff who were employed as prison officers during The Troubles
have been preserved and will continue at a level higher than elsewhere.
However, staff who have been recruited to Main Grade Officer (and
through that to Senior and Principal Officer) since April 2002
have a lower maximum point on the scale, which is more closely
aligned with the maximum point on the pay scales in England and
Wales. This will result in cost reductions over time as long serving
officers retire and are replaced by staff with a lower maximum
point. The minimum and maximum points are as follows:
| | |
Pre 2002 | Post 2002
|
| Officer | Max | 35,724
| 28,799 |
| Min | 18,681
| 21,425 |
| Senior Officer | Max | 39,060
| 30,728 |
| Principal Officer | Max |
43,153 | 33,447 |
(Principal and Senior Officers are on a single point scale.)
Jonathan Phillips
Permanent Secretary
Northern Ireland Office
31 July 2008
|
