‘Major win’ for coastguard volunteers as planned cuts are paused
PLANNED cuts to payments for coastguard volunteers have been paused by the UK Government in a “major win” for rescue officers.
The UK Government announced this morning (Thursday) that it had agreed to pause plans from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to stop paying coastguard volunteers for attending call-outs and training.
The hugely unpopular changes had been due to come into force in September.
Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael, who has campaigned strongly against the move, called it a “major win for coastguard volunteers”.
“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,” he said.
Following a legal ruling the UK Government-funded MCA had planned to stop coastguard rescue volunteers claiming around £11 per hour for call-outs and attending training exercises.
The news was met with widespread condemnation, particularly in Shetland, and there were also major concerns about safety if volunteers were to quit.
Carmichael said the changes risked “hollowing out a crucial emergency service” and leaving islands like Shetland with no volunteer coastguard officers.
He added he was “angry” and “offended” by the plans, which he called “fundamentally disrespectful” of coastguard volunteers.
Maritime minister Keir Mather said the government had listened extensively to coastguard rescue volunteers about how the decision would affect them.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Mather said that there had been “deep concerns” about the planned cuts – and that the feedback had been “invaluable”.
He said the MCA’s decision-making had been flawed, and that two surveys undertaken by the MCA “were not sufficiently detailed to properly reflect the impact of these changes”.
“I can therefore confirm that plans to move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead, and current arrangements will remain in place,” he said.
The MCA will now carry out further engagement with trade unions, coastguard volunteers and MPs to “understand more deeply” what any changes would mean.
Mather said that in the longer term the Department for Transport would look at how coastguard rescue officers could “continue to be rightfully recognised and rewarded”.
Orkney and Shetland MP Carmichael roundly welcomed the statement, calling it a “major win”.
He put the issue directly to departing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday at his final Prime Minister’s Questions, with Starmer replying that the UK Government would be “on it”.
Carmichael paid tribute to maritime minister Mather for his work on the 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,” Carmichael said.
“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.”
Local community and safety board chairman Allison Duncan had been among those to express concerns about the plans last month, with the board pledging to write to the MCA about the changes.
“We have to show our support for the coastguard agency here in Shetland,” he said.
“I would sincerely hope that what’s happening at the moment, that there could be a pause and reflection on the legal judgement that’s been taken.
“The work that the Shetland coastguard volunteers [have done] in the past, has been paramount and essential throughout Shetland.
“If we lose these volunteers, goodness knows what will happen next.”
Trade union GMB also welcomed the news today, with national officer Nicola Savage calling it a “richly deserved win” for coastguard volunteers.
“It was a scandal that these brave, life-saving workers would have their pay cut. But ministers have listened and done the right thing,” she added.
The MCA had previously said that it was moving to a “revised volunteer model” in order to “best protect the service”.
“We deeply value and recognise the significant service coastguard rescue officers provide along our coastline, and we will be supporting them during this transition,” it had said.
“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.”
The MCA also said volunteers would continue to receive training, equipment, uniforms, personal protective equipment and operational support under the new arrangements.
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