CIRC 014: NATIONAL CHAIR UPDATE FEBRUARY 2026

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

 

Pension Hardship - Temporary loans arrangements – England and Wales

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.  A scheme has been established to support individuals experiencing financial hardship due to delays to their pension payments, as a result of the handover of Civil Service Pension administration from MYCSP to Capita.

Former Employers such as HMPPS are now able to offer transitional help by way of a loan. The loan is to address the financial hardship individuals may experience and bridge the gap until pension is paid.

It is not a form of compensation.

The loan is interest-free and an initial single payment of £5,000 but can be extended in individual circumstances. This temporary and transitional arrangement is in place until the end of this financial year (2025/26), loans will need to have been agreed within this period for individuals to receive payment. This applies to partial retirees still in employment and those who have retired since 1^st January 2025 from active service and not yet in receipt of their pension benefits and are suffering financial hardship.

If you are a deferred member that retired prior to 1^st January 2025 and you are facing financial hardship you should contact Capita on 0300 123 6666, selecting the option for help with financial hardship. Surviving spouses, dependants, pension credit members who are suffering financial hardship should also contact Capita on 0300 123 6666 and select the option for financial hardship. HMPPS have confirmed that members who were active employees and have left since 1^st January 2025, or members that have taken partial retirement since 1^st January 2025 can now make an application for loans by emailing. 

HRSupportHubMojHQ@justice.gov.uk  

New Prison Officer Uniform

We can confirm that all Prison Officer and OSG grades working in public sector Prisons in England and Wales will revert to the new uniform which includes black polo shirts and black cargo trousers from August this year. Staff will be asked for their sizes to facilitate ordering in the near future.

 

Voluntary tasks

I wish to remind all POA members that if they continue to perform ‘voluntary ‘tasks for free the NEC will find it increasingly difficult to convince the Pay Review Body to award an annual salary allowance for those tasks that HMPPS portray to be critical to the business. I would ask you all to reflect on another body of staff who have their workplace rights and are prepared to fight for them when their employer thinks they should perform additional duties free of charge:

 

Crisps workers opt for strike:

Workers making Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, Pom Bears and Discos snacks have voted to strike, the GMB union has reported. Dozens of staff at KP Snacks’ site in Billingham, Country Durham voted to walk out in a dispute over additional duties imposed without extra pay or proper consultation, the Union explained, adding that bosses have cut process workers in crisps and snacks to a single break per shift. “These workers are skilled, experienced and absolutely vital to keeping production lines running and supermarket shelves stocked”, Paul Clark, GMB organiser, commented. “The company has unilaterally expanded their roles, increased their workload and expected them to take on additional responsibilities, all without offering a single penny more in pay”.

 

Naloxone

It has been brought to the attention of the NEC that some Governors are being deliberately deceitful and mendacious by instructing staff that the administration of the prescription drug Naloxone by Prison Officers is now compulsory. This is completely misleading and inaccurate. Naloxone training is provided to all new recruits as part of their initial training, as suggested by the POA. Members are reminded that the POA remain in a National Dispute over the mandating of Naloxone to Prison Officers as this clearly changes your terms and conditions. Any attempt by HMPPS to mandate this will be met with the most robust defence of your terms and conditions possible. Volunteers cannot be forced. If any member feels under undue pressure to agree to Naloxone training or the administration of it, they should immediately seek support from their local POA committee.

 

All the best.

 

Mark Fairhurst
National Chair