Burnham-On-Sea MP Ashley Fox has called for special constables to be granted the right to unpaid leave to perform their duties, arguing during a House of Commons debate that they should be treated on par with other civic volunteers such as magistrates and local councillors.
Speaking in Parliament in the debate on the Employment Rights Bill, Ashley criticised the Government’s handling of the Bill, highlighting the large number of amendments they introduced to fix flaws in their own legislation.
“There were hundreds of amendments, demonstrating how badly the Bill was drafted when it was first proposed,” he said.
Despite opposition from the Labour Government, Ashley Fox’s proposal — New Clause 30 — garnered support from MPs across the rest of the House, as well as from 10 Police and Crime Commissioners and Assistant Chief Constable Bill Dutton, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for the special constabulary.
The Burnham-On-Sea MP explained the urgency of action: “The special constabulary—an institution that has served this nation for nearly two centuries—faces a crisis. The number of volunteer officers has fallen by two-thirds in the past decade; in the past year alone, we have seen a 20% drop. Many police forces now face significant gaps in their special constabulary ranks. This is not just a temporary dip, but a long-term trend.”
Special constables hold the same legal powers as full-time officers, often putting themselves in harm’s way to keep communities safe. Yet, unlike other civic volunteers, they are not entitled to request time off work for their service.
Ashley also challenged the Government’s reliance on voluntary employer schemes, pointing to a survey by the Association of Special Constabulary Officers, which found that over 60% of special constables receive no support from their employers.
“The riots last summer demonstrated the benefit of having a flexible police force. Given the Government’s focus on promoting neighbourhood and community policing, increasing the number of specials seems like a good choice. This measure will not cost the taxpayer a penny — it simply puts special constables on the same footing as other volunteers.”
Despite broad support, the Labour Government ultimately voted against the amendment. Ashley Fox has vowed to continue making the case for special constables, ensuring they receive the recognition and support they deserve.
