Carmichael to lead debate on cuts to coastguard payments
SHETLAND’S MP has secured a parliamentary debate on plans to stop paying coastguard volunteers for attending call-outs and training exercises.
The debate will be led by Alistair Carmichael and will be held at Westminster on Wednesday 1 July.
It was revealed earlier this month that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is to remove an ability for coastguard rescue volunteers to claim around £11 per hour for attending call-outs and training exercises.
It followed a legal judgement involving the case of a former rescue officer, who took the MCA to an employment appeal tribunal over the status of volunteers.
This meant that rescue officers would be treated as workers rather than volunteers.
Carmichael said that the MCA’s changes had “caused real anger and concern in the isles”.
“I am glad to have secured this early debate on the issue,” he said.
“HMRC guidance is at the heart of the MCA’s decision here. It is vital that we get answers on how we reached this point and the evidence and legal justifications on which they are basing this new policy.
“Whatever the reasons behind it, the outcome for our communities could be catastrophic – so a change in course must be found.
“No one volunteers with the coastguard for the sake of the remuneration involved but those payments matter, as recognition of the work that they do, and as a way to make such volunteering financially viable.
“If they are allowed to go through these cuts will undermine morale amongst local crews, harm future recruitment of volunteers, and risk causing active resignations from the service.”
Carmichael added he was looking forward to leading the debate, and urged anyone with an interest to put forward evidence to his office to make their voice heard.
It comes a day after Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad joined with fellow island MSPs to criticise the proposed move.
In a letter to aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister MP Keir Mather, they called it “deeply irresponsible” and said it could threaten the lives of islanders.
The letter was co-signed by MSPs for Argyll and Bute, and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch – as well as Highlands and Islands list MSP Kristopher Leask.
The group say they are “deeply concerned” about the potential impact of the new model on the strength of coastguard teams, particularly in island communities.
Local community safety and resilience board chairman Allison Duncan has also criticised the change, saying it could have “serious implications” for Shetland.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
