Office of Manpower Economics

Pay Review Bodies
The independent Review Bodies advise the Prime Minister and a variety of Secretaries of State, on matters referred to them, primarily making annual recommendations about pay levels. Following devolution, Reports may also be sent to the First Ministers of the Scottish Parliament and The National Assembly for Wales, the Presiding Officer of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Mayor of London on pay related matters affecting the devolved bodies.

Although the Review Bodies operate independently of each other, their procedures are broadly similar. During the autumn, each body receives written and oral evidence from both the Government and representative organisations covering its remit groups. Other interested parties may also submit evidence. The Review Bodies weigh the evidence and their own independent research to formulate recommendations on the remuneration of their remit groups. Their recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and Secretaries of State, and where appropriate the devolved administrations, early in each new year. The Government's response to the Pay Review Bodies' reports is usually announced in January or February each year, often with extensive media coverage.

During the spring and summer, Review Body members undertake a series of visits within Great Britain, Northern Ireland and abroad to meet members of their remit groups. These visits enable Review Body members to gain first hand knowledge of the pay and other issues facing their remit groups.

Chairs are appointed by the Prime Minister. Members are appointed by the Prime Minister or the relevant Secretary of State. Chairs are remunerated at £350 and Members £300 per day respectively .

The Police Boards
The two Police Boards, the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) and the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW) cover sworn police officers of all ranks from constable through to Chief Officers. The PNB negotiates the terms and conditions and pensions of police officers across the UK. It makes recommendations on these matters to the Home Secretary, Secreatary of State for Northern Ireland, and Scottish Ministers. The PABEW advises the Home Secretary on general questions affecting the police in England and Wales, particularly in respect to non-negotiable conditions of service.

The Prime Minister appoints the independent Chair and Deputy Chair, usually the same office holder for both Boards. The Chair is remunerated at £402 and the Deputy Chair at £321 per day respectively.

OME
The OME is independent of Government in its operational, delivery and support roles. It is staffed by around 33 civil servants drawn mainly from the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform organised into paired Secretariat teams supporting each of the bodies and a cross-cutting Research and Analysis Group (RAG).

Each Secretariat team is headed by a Director and a small number of staff to provide policy advice, statistical services, and administrative support. Secretariat teams are required to co-ordinate and manage research and consultancy projects. A Management Support Unit deals with delegated functions, such as finance, human resources, accommodation, conference facilities and e- technology.

The OME Senior Management Team comprises of Ian Jones (OME Director), David Miner, (OME Deputy Director, Chief Economist, Director NOHPRB and RAG teams), Keith Masson (Director DDRB and SSRB teams), Christine Haworth (Director AFPRB and PSPRB teams), David Wilson (STRB and PNB/PABEW teams), Charles Jordan (Secretary AFPRB) and Steven Mokogwu (Office Manager, MSU). Other senior staff include Grant Whitfield who is Head of Statistics, and Steve Palmer, the Remuneration Specialist.

OME and the Pay Review Bodies are funded by BERR. For the financial year 2007/08 the OME, which meets the costs of the Review Bodies has been allocated a total £3,371,000. The Police Boards (with the exception of pay costs) are funded by the Home Office.

OME is registered with the Information Commissioner as a Data Controller. Its registration number is Z5766861.

Through the quality, timeliness, efficiency and rigour of OME’s work, to support and facilitate the Pay Review Bodies in offering independent advice on public sector pay and conditions, in accordance with their terms of reference, and in making a positive contribution to public service reform and delivery. Similarly, to support the Police Negotiating Board/Police Advisory Board for England and Wales in the activities defined by their constitutions.

Obtaining timely, high quality evidence and provide research, analysis and advice to inform review bodies' decisions and to underpin their recommendations.

Enabling the review bodies to deliver their reports to the timetable and process required and in accordance with their individual terms of reference and remits, in particular through providing high quality secretariat services and through managing relationships with all parties to the process.

Developing OME capacity and capabilities, in particular through implementing the OME Competence Framework and Professional Skills for Government and by meeting Investors in People and BERR and Government Statistical Service (GSS) standards for managing and developing people.

Managing OME resources effectively with particular emphasis on flexible organisation and ways of working, project management and meeting any budgetary and / or headcount reductions agreed with the BERR.

In addition, to provide the Independent Secretariat to support the Police Negotiating Board/Police Advisory Board for England and Wales in the activities defined by their constitutions.

Review Body Reports
Copies of the Review Body Reports are published annually by The Stationery Office.