Government keen to find an ‘equitable solution’ to coastguard officer pay, minister says
Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael says ‘for the first time we have the upper hand’ in protecting coastguard volunteer pay
THE UK Government is looking at a “range of options” regarding the issue of coastguard rescue officers’ pay in a bid to find an “equitable solution”.
That was the message from UK Government minister for maritime Keir Mather in the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday).
It came after Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael secured an urgent question on the matter.
Speaking afterwards, he said “for the first time we have the upper hand” in the fight to protect remuneration for coastguard volunteers.
Changes are proposed by the government’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to stop an £11-an-hour payments to coastguard rescue officers for callouts and training from September.
It followed a legal ruling on the status of volunteer coastguard rescue officers.
Carmichael said in parliament he has also heard allegations of a “toxic management culture” within the MCA from whistleblowers.
A staff survey of MCA workers revealed 40 per cent of rescue officers in Scotland will leave or reduce their hours without remuneration for callouts and training. For Shetland and Orkney, this rises to nearly 50 per cent.
Mather said he wanted to recognise the “extraordinary contribution” made by coastguard rescue officers.
He told the House of Commons that the model “had to change” following the court ruling, but added there was “no perfect solution”.
Mather confirmed that engagement sessions planned this week have now been postponed while he continues working with rescue officers, unions and MPs.
He said this was partly to allow the voices of coastguard rescue officers to be heard.
The minister also said it was important for coastguard rescue officers to have access to their local MP.
He said “it’s about fairness, it’s about recognition”.
Mather also said operational impacts were “carefully considered” during previous decision-making.
Speaking afterwards, Carmichael also welcomed a confirmation that a legislative solution was under consideration by the government.
“We have not yet won this battle but for the first time we have the upper hand – there has been a clear shift in tone from the government today,” Carmichael said.
“There is more we must do but it now feels as though we have the wind at our back rather than in our face.”
He said since a Westminster debate last week the problems with the MCA and its behaviour have “only become more apparent”.
“The immediate crisis around coastguard volunteer remuneration is just the tip of the iceberg,” the Lib Dem added.
“It was useful for the minister to confirm that he has paused the process in order to reflect on feedback.
“It is also good that he agreed to keeping MPs updated on next steps, though it would have been better to have a clear commitment to a statement in the House of Commons before the process is resumed.
“The minister stated for the first time that a possible legislative carve-out to restore the previous remuneration system is being considered. No doubt that may be a complicated solution to implement but if the government takes this route there will, I suspect, be ready support across parliament to ensure it is delivered in a timely manner.
“Ultimately the issues around remuneration are just a part of a deeper malaise within the MCA. We have to solve the immediate crisis now – but the government must take on the underlying cultural issues within the agency for the long term as well.”
In a statement earlier today, the GMB union – representing the rescue officers – warned the MCA’s decision to press ahead despite being told of the risk to the service would be “needless, reckless and potentially calamitous”.
GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency asked rescue officers what this decision would mean and were told it would mean disaster.
“It beggars belief that, despite that, it seems intent on inflicting an entirely avoidable act of self-harm that will sabotage such a crucial emergency service.
“These trained and committed workers do not do it for the money but the money allows them to do it.
“The MCA clearly knows the price of everything and the value of nothing but must urgently review then reverse this decision.”
An MCA spokesperson previously said the decision was “not something we wanted to do but is a consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling”.
“This new model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment,” they added.
“The coastguard rescue service will continue to maintain a robust, effective search and rescue response, ensuring the highest quality of service and levels of safety.”
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