There is no doubt that it is TRUE that the police in Scotland are being treated better than other UK colleagues.
However, instead of berating the SNP and scots in general, remember that this was a UK-wide agreement that Jacqui Smith has ridden roughshod over, and it's (ironically) only the ability of the SNP government here that makes it possible for the Smith pleddge to be honoured here.
Your southern argument therefore is with YOUR labour politicians and NOT our nationalist ones !!!!

Hamish Morrison, Inverness, Scotland

I am a serving officer. I joined the police to serve and protect and on a matter of principle I neither want nor support the right of the police to take industrial action. I am proud to be a police officer and want to do my job to the best of my ability. What I do want and believe I have a right to expect is that the Government recognises the unique position of the office of constable and that my pay award is fair as opposed to the underhand spiteful deal on offer. That being said when I see how the armed forces are being treated by this shameless government perhaps I should be grateful for small mercies.

Al, Manchester,

The Home Office and ergo the Government have not only stabbed in the back hard working men and women of the UK Police Service, but they have made a fatal error in a gross misjudgement and under estimation of the mood of rank and file officers. All the spin about more people on the streets is a load of old tosh, PCSO's yes, Police Officers with powers to do the job properly and with integrity,no. This really is the straw that broke the Camels back for the demoralised, undermined and disenfranchised officers up and down the land. All we want is a fair deal, and not to be compared to a business. We never have been, never should be, and I hope never will. The job is only held together by the very thin glue of the goodwill of those who serve. Be careful what you wish for Mr Brown, you may get something you didn't want. Fair Pay For Police, NOW!!!!!!

Steve Hunt, Dereham, UK

I find it extraordinary that a Home Secretary can act in such a stupid and short sighted manner.

Before this round of pay talks began police pay increases were based on the average percentage increase awarded to a comparative group of employees, working in similar positions and having similar responsibilities across the UK. As such police pay rises were never at the top end of national pay increases, neither were they at the bottom. PoIice officers were satisfied with this arrangement, and so were previous Home Secretaries, as it meant that each year (September to September) police pay could be settled with very little conflict, as each side knew exactly what the % increase was to be.

The only explanation I can see for this conflict is the recent police investigation into the 'cash for peerages, row and the upcoming enquiry into Labour party funding. If the HS thinks that this sort of political 'Stalinist' action will influence the outcome then she is sadly mistaken.

Pip, Sutton, Surrey

Welcome Jacqui Smith, heres another example of a new government member establishing her presence. Only this time hers may be the final nail in the coffin for labour. How she can suggest the ridiculus 1.9% is beyond me, maybe we should look into reducing the salaries of government members and offer them pay rises in line with inflation.
I think the government need to realise that the police service has changed, gone are the days of officers working and spouses staying at home, the level of pay does not allow this and both parties need to work to survive. However the role of constable is hugely stressful and requires a huge degree of self motivation, dedication and proffessionalsim, often working very unsociable hours and not having a family life, lets give the officers some sort of encouragement and thanks for their efforts and give them a mere 2.5% at least.

Geoff, Worcester,

Labour the party of the workers ...NOT. I hope the police leave the Home Secretary without armed protection, that they refuse in general to carry firearms, refuse to drive unsafe police vehicles, continue to work but carry out their duties to the letter of the law and policy, if it takes 4 hours to report one crime then so be it. Zero tollerance should be the order of the day, if every officer makes an arrest within 10 minutes of starting their shift there will soon be no one out on the streets, the nation will grind to a halt in minutes

John, Hornchurch, Essex

The decision by the home secretary is utterly disgraceful - but do not be fooled by the Scottish Government's response - their move is purely to dissasociate themselves from the British government, and the labour party.

The SNP see this as a prime opportunity to say "see how things fare when we work on our own?"

Scott, Birmingham, UK

I note that the Government doesn't seem to have these disputes over Parliamentary pay - because they decide upon it themselves and have had massive rises in recent years. Police officers are constantly under risk whilst at work. They have limited rights; cannot stand for local office; be magistrates; strike; actively demostrate their individual politics; have conditions placed on where they live; cannot have a business interest unless agreed.

Why don't they refuse to stand at Downing Street and put down their firearms; leaving the PM unguarded.

Is that woman at the Home Office mad. If the police go on strike for even one day it would cause chaos. No cash deliveries to businesses; no fast reponse to crimes of serious accidents.

Get your head sorted Jacqui Smith. Pay up - shut up - oh, and pack up...and leave.

Rob - Yorkshire

Robert Newton, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Sergia!!!!!.stated "Police have it cushy as it is???""... Whats Cushy about working a shift system that doesnt allow you the right of a full family life, a job thats both dangerous and unpredictable combined with the fact you are accountable for your actions whether at work or not. The Police is a 'one of a kind' job and if by joining you want to do what most people daren't or can't why should you be kicked in the teeth by a government who says one thing then does another, the same government who expects the emergency services to drop everything when the brown stuff hits the electric whirly thing and get things sorted (london bombs, mass flooding etc). I could think of far more cushy things to do, for a far better pay and holiday entitlement.........like becoming an MP (I wouldn't however live with no morals like they do).

Mr PC, Sheffield,

As a serving police officer I fully support and recommend action to fight for and win the right to take industrial action.
However, I would go further than this and say that all of the terms and conditions which automatically appear “unfair” to police officers are re-visited, such as 1) the first half hour of any officer’s shift being unpaid; 2) the issue over police officers having no right to an employment tribunal when dismissed, and 3) police officers having no trade union, or a union with trade union powers. I would suggest that a work to rule policy may ‘rattle the cage’ until we are recognised as being serious.
The Government's abuse of those who are expected to run (on occasion) alone towards the group of five or six men fighting in the street is sickening.
But in reality - it's no worse than that which the fire service suffer, nurses suffer, and benefits assessors suffer.
It's time we all stood up and were counted for something.
"Every servant is worthy of his hire".

Jonathan Hyland, Southampton, Hampshire

If the Police refused to work overtime ( especially to guard prisoners in Police cells because the jails are full ) the system would collapse within days. The problem is that if the Police take industrial action, the people that they are hurting are the people they swore to protect. It will be the goverments fault but as usual the Police will get the blame.

Ian, Lincolnshire,

The police service will of course never strike, but that is the main differnce between the police and every other public sector worker. Police have restrictions placed on their private lives. They are always accountable and on duty, and they have no industrial rights to strike. 2.5% is clearly a slap in the face to these hard working officers, but in not backdating it, the rise is actually only 1.9% which is disgracfull. Another demonstration of this goverments lack of will, conviction and honestey.
I won't even go into the fact Scottish officer in Gordon Browns seat will get the pay rise backdated.
I call for all officers to stand together and fight this. Firearms officers should refuse to carry guns and officers should work to rule

Dave Jordan, Rainham, Kent

Look, if the Police Forces reviewed the MILLIONS of £ that they waste in defending the undefendable in civil claims against actions of some police officers then perhaps they could afford to pay an increase in pay. Similarly the Police have it pretty cushy as it is and those in the higher ranks particulkarly milk the system, i.e. look at the 3000 odd American Express cards issued by the Met so that their officers can take colleagues to hotels and restaurants !!

Sergei, London, UK

Dont forget this also affects police pensioners.

Gerry Murphy, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

'Dishonest Government' is fast becoming a tautology.

P Robbins, Cornwall,

I note yet again Scotland fares better than England?
I think the whole English police force should all as suggested phone in sick every day until that stupid woman White finds some brains or something.
She is probably trying to save money to give more to all the illegals flooding into the country. When are we going to be rid of this bunch of socialist rubbish.

Barry Holmes, Christchurch, New Zealand

Brown's government promised:

an EU Referendum
a pension bail out
the police pay rise

to name but three...and all three broken.

How can a government with no integrity ever expect young people to grow up to become responsible adults?

anthony, Seoul, Korea

this is typical of the way this government treats its police officers.....no respect whatsoever, what is also galling is that Scotland has ratified it thus creating a 2 tier police service, just like health and education. Come on Gordon start thinking of the workers and their welfare, they are men and women working unsociable hours in increasingly aggressive environments who still have to pay bills etc

Jane, Atherstone, UK