A pay rise recommended by the Police Arbitration Tribunal will be honoured in Scotland but not in England and Wales, leaving the home secretary at loggerheads with officers.

The tribunal had suggested a 2.5 per cent rise but Jacqui Smith announced its implementation date will be delayed from September 1 to December 1 in England and Wales, resulting in the value of the award being cut to 1.9 per cent.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the home secretary explained that the 1.9 per cent pay rise was in keeping with the government's inflation target.

However the Scottish Executive has confirmed that it will abide by the tribunal's recommendations, backdating the payment award to September and breaking ranks with Whitehall policy.

Following the announcement, Smith faced pressure from chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Jan Berry, who said that her members had been subjected to "disgusting" treatment.

"Unlike the Home Office, the Scottish administration has acted with honour and demonstrated they understand the difficulties of modern policing and the restrictions on officers' lives," she said.

"We are not going to take this lying down. If the government want a fight, they have got a fight. We are actively pursuing a legal challenge and have requested an urgent meeting with the home secretary."

And her sentiments were echoed by Michael Fuller, chief constable of Kent, who said that his officers feel "cheated" by the pay deal.