The POA podcast

In the new Ask The Chair podcast episode, National Chair MarkFairhurst responds to questions on a wide range of subjects – regional pay, allowances for specialist grades, staff safety when on escort duties, problems in the youth custody estate, and the right to strike and “68 is too late” campaigns. Also, questions on the viability and desirability of prison officers being linked to police officer...

If you’ve enjoyed a POA video, listened to one of the POA podcasts, engaged in any way with the union online at X, or Facebook, accessed the POA website or responded to a call to action associated with a POA campaign, then that is the POA communications strategy in action.    But where does this strategy come from, and how can the union’s leadership know it is working? In this episode, Deputy Gene...

It is now two years since a major change to the regime of health and safety inspections in HMPPS.  A key element of the new approach has been the employer and union working in partnership. But what does this mean in practice, and what difference does it make?  Can a new way of working lead to lasting cultural change on health and safety? NEC members Jackie Marshall, Phil Hannant and Roger Moran sh...

The annual Valley Parade Memorial football tournamentcommemorates the fire at Bradford City FC in 1985 which cost 56 lives.  The POA is at the heart of maintaining thetournament and was instrumental in it’s creation.  Former National Chair John Boddington and NEC member Jackie Marshall discuss the importance of the event, and we also hear from a local government officer, tournament referee and a l...

Ask The Chair is the opportunity for POA members to put their questions directly to POA National Chair Mark Fairhurst.  No question is off limits and the first Mark knows about it is when the question is read out on the show.  This time round we have questions - and forthright answers – on the 68 is too late campaign, OSG overtime (spoiler alert – you are entitled to overtime, and not obliged to t...

The issue of Separation Centres was thrown into sharp focusfollowing the horrendous assault on three prison officers at HMP Frankland last year.  The government commissioned the Hall report as a result and it’s 13 recommendations were published toward the end of 2025.  In this episode we catch upwith NEC Vice-Chair Dave Todd and NEC member Phil Hannant to discuss what improvements we can expect to...

The union’s campaign for the right of members in England,Wales and Northern Ireland to be able to take industrial action has received a boost from the influential European Committee of Social Rights.  The Committee has said that the continuingprobation on the union is inconsistent with Europe-wide standards of human rights.  National Chair Mark Fairhurstand General Secretary Steve Gillan place thi...

The Branch Officials' training course is a vital tool in the training and development of the union's representatives. But what does the course cover? What do students get out of it? Is it as good as everyone says it is, and what makes it that way? We get views from four of the reps on last month's course, plus Assistant General Secretary Andy Baxter. Between them, they will answer all...

In the new Ask The Chair, Mark Fairhurst answersquestions from members on body scanners and women prisoners, Payment Plus, the recent exemption secured for overseas-born prison officers, the absence ofinterviews in Band 3 recruitment, just how independent is the Prison Service Pay Review body and what was the best-ever Everton team.  Forthright and to-the-point, no subject isoff-limits.  Ask your...

Engaging younger members in the union and keeping themactive is an essential part of the POA’s strategy, and the Young Members Consultative Committee is a key body for delivering that objective.  In this episode, Jordan, Lewis and Tyler, threemembers of the Committee  join Deputy General Secretary Mick Pimblett to share their hopes and experiences  and explain why young members are very much the p...

The Women’s networking event is now a firm fixture in the POA calendar, but what goes into making the event so popular and successful?  NEC member Jackie Marshall gives us the inside track on last November’s gathering, and Dawn Orchard explains why HMPPS employee relations are supportive of the initiative. We also get views from two first-time attendees, Patience and Rhonda. If you’re curious but...

National Chair Mark Fairhurst discusses the results of the2025 POA members’ survey, highlighting the mismatch between what respondents are saying to the union, and the picture painted by the MoJ’s own survey work.  He also sets out why maximum involvement by members is so important in making sure the employer has a clear view direct from front line.  More information at poauk.org.uk

Ask The Chair gives POA members and reps the chance to ask National Chair Mark Fairhurst……anything! (and he doesn’t see the questions before-hand). In this episode, questions come from Preston to London, and covers subjectslike emergency response teams in the high security estate, the challenge of Iron Man competitions and whether Everton can get the better of Liverpool in. this season’s Premier L...

The Tolpuddle Martyrs festival takes palce each July and isa form fixture in the POA calendar.  In this episode we hear about the origins of the festival, why it lies close to the heart of the union, and how the union’s involvement has changed and grown over the years.  We also hear from Tyler and Mark, two lay POA reps, on their impressions of the festival.  It’s fair to say that it’s not at all...

The union’s long-running campaign to lower the retirementage for operational grades gets a new boost today (Wednesday).  Following the recent members’ survey, to which there was over 3,000 responses, there is now a new chance to put the views of POA members directly to government.  Click on the QR code in the members’ communication issued today to access automatically generated emails for you to s...

Drone incursions into airspace above prisons has risen sharply, meaning an increased supply of contraband and an increased level of danger for POA members.  In this episode National Chair Mark Fairhurst discusses the steps being taken by the union to push back against the drones and their dangerous cargo.  He also sets out the problems of the government’s current approach and the steps the union w...

In the first episode of a new POA podcast venture, national chair Mark Fairhurst takes questions from POA members and reps. The first Mark knows of the subject matter is when the question is read out to him on the show. This time round Mark is grilled on pensions, support for branch officers, changes to overseas’ nationals’ right to work in the UK and where his football loyalties lie. Members from...

In the latest POA podcast, National Chair Mark Fairhurst sets out the process for submitting and securing the union's pay claim through the Prison Service Pay Review Body. Mark decries the deficiencies in the employer's approach and the jeopardy facing approximately 2000 officers affected by the government's changes to the level of income needed to remain in the UK as a working oversea...

General Secretary Steve Gillan reviews a successful Trades Union Congress for the union, and looks forward to the challenge and opportunity of his election to the TUC Presidency, including mobilising against Reform and the far right.  TUC Assistant General Secretary Kate Bell offers insights into the role and importance of the President. More information at poauk.org.uk

In this episode, we get the inside track on a great "win" for the union - 147 members at Gatwick IRC were found to have had their employment rights breached when the employer, Serco, imposed a pay deal in 2023 rather than continuing negotiations with the POA. Featuring Gatwick IRC Branch Secretary Heran Limbachia, Iain Birrell from Thomson's solicitors, GS Steve Gillan, DGS Mick Pimblett and Natio...

Since 2023, Chesterton Grant has been providing expert advice to union members on mortgages, pensions and estate planning – all subjects where a little help can make a big difference. Steve Wright leads for Chesterton Grant on pensions and estate planning, and Dave Rooney who is responsible for the company’s work on mortgages, set out why this should be of interest to many if not all POA members....

National Chair Mark Fairhurst reviews Labour's first year in office. What progress has been made on key POA concerns and what is left to be done? Spoiler alert - the dial has been turned in a positive direction, but there is still a long way to go. More information at poauk.org.uk

POA members will probably be familiar with POA Protect, the organisation that partners with the union to provide a wide range of members’ services and benefits.  But how well doyou know what those services are and what benefit they could be not just to members but to their families too?  In this episode Alison from POA Protect gives us the inside track on just what is available. You may be pleasan...

New research work by trainee Forensic on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was unveiled at the union’s recent annual conference.  Out of a survey size of 400, a frightening 51.7% were found to be exhibiting signs of PTSD.   In this episode report author and trainee ForensicPsychologist Laura Wright tells us more about the report’s findings, what an appropriate response might look like and how...

National Chair Mark Fairhurst and General Secretary Steve Gillan reflect on an eventful and important POA annual conference.  What were the stand-out moments? Which issues commanded most attention? And what happens to all the motions adopted by Conference when they are passed to the NEC?  More information at  poauk.org.uk