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Firstly, a belated happy new year to you all from the Retired Members committee.

On the 17th March John McDonnell MP Labour Hayes and Harlington and POA honorary life member asked the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of compensating people who were unable to pay (a) mortgages, (b) credit card Bills and (c) other household bills due to delays in payments from the Civil Service Pensions Scheme.

It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you of the passing of our Honorary Life Member and former SPOA General Secretary, John Renton on 24^th February 2026 at the age of 92.

Following the issuing of Branch Circular 10/2026 relating to the political levy, we have received several enquiries seeking clarification.

The Government has accepted the recommendation of the Agenda for Change Pay Review Body in respect of pay as part of a package. 

In response to representations from the POA and other Civil Service unions about this scandal the Government is implementing a temporary loan scheme to alleviate the hardship being felt by members of the pension scheme who have had payments delayed. 

Professionals who use or oversee the use of such tools are invited to take part in a short (~30-minute), anonymous online survey. The goal is to better understand how risk assessment instruments are applied in practice around the world, including challenges, adaptations, and implementation processes. 

Researchers from the University of Bath and UCL are conducting a study exploring the experiences of prison staff who have experienced challenging or distressing experiences at work.

A stark new report published today by the Prison Officers’ Association, the union representing Scotland’s 4000 front line Prison Staff, has laid bare the reality of working in the country’s overcrowded and understaffed prison estate.  “Crisis Point Reached - The Pressures Facing Scotland’s Prison Officers uncovered” draws on the experience and testimony of Prison Officers work ...

POA give evidence to the Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in Scottish prisons