UK government pauses decision to scrap coastguard hourly callout payments

Coastguard rescue officers had been due to no longer receive payments | Jo Hanley

The UK government has paused its plans to scrap hourly payments for coastguard volunteers.

Labour’s maritime minister Keir Mather confirmed in a written statement on Thursday morning that “plans to move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead, and current arrangements will remain in place.”

Coastguard volunteers are paid £11 an hour for callouts but, just months after a landmark employment tribunal secured them worker status, the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) had warned the payments will be stopped in September.

In response to the ruling, the MCA said it will move to a "revised volunteer model", with volunteers no longer paid by the hour but able to claim compensation for some activites while receiving training, equipment and uniforms.

Mr Mather wrote: “My department has undertaken further work to scrutinise the information that was provided to inform decision making.

“Having done so, it has become clear that parts of the information gathering process to inform MCA operational decisions, in particular, the two surveys undertaken, 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 continued: “ Over the coming months, the MCA will carry out further engagement with trade unions, Coastguard Rescue Officers, and members of Parliament, to understand more deeply the potential impact of changes on individuals and operations.

“The insight gathered from this engagement will support the MCA’s understanding of operational implications, and inform future decisions on the shape of the Coastguard Rescue Service.

“In the longer term, the Department for Transport will explore options for how Coastguard Rescue Officers can continue to be rightfully recognised and rewarded and have the flexibility to continue to serve their communities.”

Lib Dem MP for Orkney and Shetland Alistair Carmichael - who has led the campaign against the cuts - said: “This is a major win for coastguard volunteers today. 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. The response from CROs has been incredible and it has fuelled our efforts in Parliament, from a debate earlier in the month, to an Urgent Question last week, to a question directly to the Prime Minister on the issue yesterday.

“I have to give credit to the Minister for Maritime Keir Mather for his work on this 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.

“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.”

Coastguard officers had said they feared people would stop volunteering if the payments were scrapped.

Paul Arkison, GMB Scotland senior organiser, welcomed the U-turn but said it should never have been necessary.

He said: “The work and commitment of Coastguard Rescue Officers could not be more important but had been needlessly risked by this ill-considered and self-harming plan.

“These brave and skilled emergency workers do not do it for the money but the money allows them to do it.

“The decision to continue paying them for their time is welcome but should never have been necessary.”