Probation officers in England and Wales vote for strike action over pay and workloads
Summary
Probation officers in England and Wales voted for strike action and other measures over pay and workloads. Napo said overtime restrictions are likely to begin on 23 November, with strike action planned for a later stage; the dispute comes as probation staff supervise people released early from prison.Key Facts
- Napo members voted 74% in favour of strike action over pay and 75% in favour over workloads.
- Members voted 85% in favour of action short of a strike over pay and 87% in favour over workloads.
- The union sought a 12% pay increase; the government offered 5%.
- About 2,500 offenders are expected to be released under the early-release scheme by the end of 2026.
- Probation officers monitor offenders, support rehabilitation, check electronic tags and can seek their return to prison for offences or licence breaches.
- The Ministry of Justice plans to recruit 1,300 trainee probation officers in the 2026–27 financial year as part of a £700 million investment package.
- Probation officer numbers have been 25% to 30% below target staffing levels, according to the Institute for Government.
- As of March 2026, nine probation delivery units—8% of the total—had vacancy rates of at least 40%.
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