The past 12 months have been marked by industrial strife and the frustrations of public sector workers.
NHS staff, social care workers and local government employees have all used their muscle to secure better pay. Police officers are just as essential but often get forgotten about when pay claims are discussed.
They do a difficult job in trying circumstances and are the first people who rush to danger. But our officers cannot strike and do not have the same leverage as others in the public sector.
They are fighting to secure an 8.5 per cent rise on the grounds their pay is trailing other public service workers. The Scottish Police Federation is also threatening a work-to-rule if their demands are not met.
We do not want frontline policing disrupted and the way to avoid this is by the Scottish Government engaging constructively with the Scottish Police Federation.
Pay demands must be reasonable of course as there are pressures on public spending during the cost-of-living crisis.
But ministers need to listen to why police officers are unhappy with pay and the effect it is having on morale.
The average police officer is not well off and the lower rungs in particular should be raised to boost recruitment. In April 2022, police officers started on £28,074 and teachers on £30,081 – a clear disparity.
Crime is an ever-present issue and one that constantly evolves over time. Our officers are the people who respond to deadly threats and they deserve proper pay for the valuable job they do.
Holyrood made Promise to care-experienced kids - they must keep it
The Promise was one of the boldest commitments of Nicola Sturgeon’s governments.
It recognised the shocking outcomes of care-experienced young people and vowed fundamental change would be made.
It was so important to the former first minister that she mentioned it in her resignation speech. She also warned successor Humza Yousaf she would speak out if there was any backsliding on the commitment.
It has now emerged that only half of councils have set indicators to track progress on The Promise.
Only one local authority has a target in place. This is disappointing and does not reflect the wider efforts of councils to improve lives.
Sturgeon’s criticisms of councils also show she is ready to be a vocal backbencher on areas she is passionate about.
Her interventions could be powerful and spur Yousaf’s government into action.
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