CIRC 057: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE AUGUST 2025

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all POA members.

Trial of Taser

The Government have announced that NTRG will trial the use of Taser during operational call outs. The Taser is the same model that Police forces in the UK use. Once this trial is complete the Government intend to consider the wider use of Taser locally.

 

PAVA in the Youth estate

The Howard League have submitted a legal challenge against the roll out of PAVA in the Youth Custody Estate in the form of a Judicial Review. The Government are defending their position. PAVA will continue to be rolled out in the YCS Estate.

 

Pay Submissions 2026

The Government have confirmed they have activated the remit letter to the Prison Service Pay Review Body. We are hopeful that this will result in a timely pay award in April 2026. The POA are currently working on written submissions.

 

Amy Rees CEO

Amy Rees CEO HMPPS will leave the service at the end of August to take up the position of CEO Homes England. Phil Copple will remain as interim CEO until the position is filled permanently.

TUC HEALTH & SAFETY REPS SURVEY

Every two years the TUC Survey Union Health & Safety Reps to help them understand reps’ experiences, the risks of work and what reps want them to focus on in their campaigning and education courses. The more Union Health & Safety Reps that complete the survey, the more useful the findings are for everyone. Please ask your local Health & Safety Rep(s) to complete survey which can be found at the link below. 

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90855398/TUCSafetyReps2025

 

NEC Elections

At the recent NEC elections Dave Ferry HMP Frankland and Roger Moran HMP Liverpool were elected to the NEC. Dave has taken up post immediately and will represent Northwest branches, whilst Roger takes up post in January 2026 representing Southwest and South Wales. I would like to congratulate them both and thank all candidates for their commitment to the POA.

 

POA Survey

The POA members survey for those working in Public Sector Prisons in England and Wales is now live. To access this survey please see your local POA branch officials who have received a circular instructing them to forward the survey link to all their members. POA members can also access the survey via the members section on the POA website. Please do not complete the HMPPS staff survey and complete the POA survey instead. We use the results as part of our evidence to the Pay Review Body.

 

POA DIARY 2026

Distribution of the POA diary for members will commence on 8^th September 2025. Retired members will receive their diary with the Autumn issue of Gatelodge in early October. All local committees should ensure they advise the gate and stores departments to ensure deliveries are accepted and avoid returns and delays.

  

Ask the Chair Podcast

Any POA member who wishes to forward any questions on any subject to me so I may answer them on the POA podcast should email askthechair@poauk.org.uk

 

All the best.

 

Mark Fairhurst
National Chair