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Lives at Risk? Coastguard Volunteers Warn of Cuts
22 Jun
Summary
- Volunteer coastguards may leave roles due to pay cuts.
- Cuts follow a court ruling classifying responders as workers.
- MCA aims to maintain search and rescue effectiveness with changes.
A volunteer coastguard officer has voiced concerns over impending cuts to pay for emergency callouts, warning that these changes could compromise response times and endanger lives. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) plans to cease payments, which currently amount to approximately £11 per hour, following a court judgment that recognized responders as "workers." This decision has led to a significant loss of trust among volunteers.
The officer highlighted that such pay, while not the primary motivation, provides essential appreciation and enables volunteers to make sacrifices for their demanding roles. The potential withdrawal of this compensation could lead to about half of the volunteers leaving the service or reducing their availability. This staffing concern could strain the remaining personnel and impact the coastguard's ability to respond to incidents effectively.
The MCA stated its intention to implement a revised volunteer model to secure the future of the Coastguard Rescue Service. They emphasized that this new structure will preserve volunteer choice and flexibility. However, James Wild, MP for North West Norfolk, has urged the agency to pause these changes and collaborate with rescue officers to ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital service.
