Overview
- The government announced on Thursday, July 16 that it will not move to an expenses-only volunteer model in September and that existing pay arrangements for coastguard rescue officers will remain.
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency had proposed the change after a Court of Appeal ruling found many rescue officers were workers rather than volunteers.
- Dozens of local councils, the GMB union and MPs campaigned strongly against the MCA plan and an urgent parliamentary evidence session attended by 14 CROs helped press ministers to act.
- Coastguard groups warned the pay cut would force many volunteers to reduce hours or quit, noting current payments are low — about £11 an hour for the first three hours and little or nothing after that — which they say would weaken coastal emergency capability.
- Ministers have committed to talks on recognition and rewards for CROs and further consultation or parliamentary scrutiny is expected, while local leaders have demanded published operational-impact assessments and a possible select-committee inquiry.