Government drops plans to stop paying volunteer coastguards
Kent union representative says it's a "massive relief" to volunteers
The Government has decided against plans to transition volunteer coastguards to an expenses-only model following widespread objections and concerns over potential workforce reduction.
The plans, originally set for implementation in September, faced criticism from coastguard rescue officers (CROs) and members of Parliament, warning of a potential exodus among volunteers.
Transport minister Keir Mather said he had listened to the views of coastguard rescue officers (CROs) and that a move to an expenses-only model would not go ahead.
It came after a Court of Appeal verdict saw the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) say it would move to a “revised volunteer model”, after a judge ruled against it over whether coastguard members are volunteers or paid workers.
They are officially volunteers but can claim about £11 an hour for callouts or training.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Mather said:
“We want to ensure that CROs are treated with dignity, with respect and they are empowered to carry out the incredible duties that they do.
“Having listened to the views and testimonies of CROs first hand, I can confirm that they move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead, and that current arrangements will remain in place.”
The dispute arose when a former coastguard officer took the MCA to an employment tribunal over the status of volunteers.
The agency initially won the case, before it was overturned in favour of the officer. A Court of Appeal judge later backed up the ruling.
The decision was welcomed by Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland), who called an urgent question into the topic last week. He also raised the problem with Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Mr Carmichael said: “This is a major win for coastguard volunteers today. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s damaging plans would have put public safety at risk up and down the country and particularly in island communities – so there was no alternative but to organise, campaign and secure a reversal.
“The response from CROs has been incredible and it has fuelled our efforts in Parliament, from a debate earlier in the month, to an Urgent Question last week, to a question directly to the Prime Minister on the issue yesterday.
“I have to give credit to the minister for maritime Keir Mather for his work on this issue. He was clearly presented with something of a ‘done deal’ by the MCA but he took the time to listen to MPs and coastguard officers, recognised their deep concerns and responded.
“We are not wholly out of the woods yet but the direction of travel is the right one. Now we have to secure a permanent settlement that works for coastguard volunteers and protects the service for future generations.”
In Kent, Regional GMB Representative Frank Macklin said:
"We're really pleased that our Coast Guard GMB members have heard straight off the dispatch box in Parliament that any plans to cut their pay as part of the restructure of the Coast Guard service has now ended. They're not going to be looking to actually make the cuts in their pay.
"It will come as a massive relief to people, as we've said before, the Coast Guard is made-up by such a huge army of volunteer workers, they all come from different walks of life.
"They all, absolutely love and are dedicated to helping people."
Mr Macklin added that the process, while unfortunate, had increased awareness to the power of costal volunteers:
"It's been a real wake up call. People are a little bit more awake now to the fact that, if something happens to them while they're on holiday down by the coast, the people attending their emergency come mainly from a volunteer background."