Exclusive:Dozens of MSPs demand rethink in coastguard payment row amid warning lives are being put at risk
A cross-party letter to coastguard bosses has warned lives and communities are being put at risk by the decision
Dozens of MSPs have called on the UK government to halt plans to stop paying coastguard volunteers - warning lives in rural Scotland are being put at risk.
Coastguard volunteers have been paid £11 an hour for callouts but, just months after a landmark employment tribunal, supported by the GMB union, secured them worker status, the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) has warned the payments will be stopped.
In response to the ruling, the MCA said it will move to a "revised volunteer model".
Now 53 MSPs have written to the UK government, calling on ministers to pause the move and engage with workers.
The MSPs, from the SNP, Lib Dems, Greens, and Labour, are backing a campaign by the GMB union. The letter from Holyrood politicians, including rural affairs secretary Gillian Martin, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie and many representing coastal communities, warns ending remuneration is a needless risk to morale and threatens the life-saving service.
In their letter to UK maritime minister Keir Mather, they wrote: “Across Scotland, coastguard rescue officers protect lives on our islands, cliffs, beaches, harbours and coastlines.
“They do not do this work for the money. They do it because they believe in service, community and saving lives but the payment matters because it helps make that service possible.
“The value of our coastguard teams cannot be measured on a balance sheet. Their local knowledge, training and experience can be the difference between life and death. They should be respected, not taken for granted.”
The MSPs have urged the UK government to intervene and encourage the MCA to pause its plans and enter discussions with rescuers and the GMB.
First Minister John Swinney has also committed to writing to the UK government about the issue.
Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said: “We are an island nation and it is impossible to overestimate the importance of the work of these rescue officers.
“Their expertise, experience and commitment is literally life-saving and demands nothing but our respect and gratitude. They do not do this life-saving work for the money but the money allows them to do it.
“The Maritime and Coastguard Agency seem determined to sabotage this lifeline service by driving through changes without consultation or good reason.
“We urge management to urgently pause these plans and engage with their volunteers instead of risking their goodwill and commitment.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson, Andrew Baxter, said: “ I have seen just how important these rescue workers are in coastal, island and rural communities across my own constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
“These payments are a way of acknowledging the critical, lifesaving service they provide. Removing them risks damaging morale, weakening resilience and driving experienced responders away from the Coastguard Rescue Service.
“I sincerely hope that the UK Government can now intervene and ensure the Maritime and Coastguard Agency changes course.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We value and recognise the important service coastguard rescue officers provide along our coastline.
“Changing the coastguard rescue service operating model was not something we wanted to do – it is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.
“The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will support officers during this transition, and the service will maintain a robust and effective search and rescue response.”
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