Carmichael to lead Urgent Question on problems with coastguard agency

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today secured an Urgent Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make a statement on the management of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and proposed changes to payments made to Coastguard Rescue Officers.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am delighted that the Speaker has granted this Urgent Question on the issue of remuneration and wider problems in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. In the course of last Wednesday’s debate on this issue I raised significant concerns about the conduct of the senior management team in the MCA. Since then there have been further and more detailed allegations made about the bullying culture that now seems to exist within the agency.

“In recent days I have received various reports from whistleblowers within the coastguard agency, as well as former members, which speak to a deeper problem within the MCA.

“The ask of MPs across Parliament in the debate last week was that the government should pause the proposed changes, consult and bring back better changes that respect both the law and the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers. When the minister comes to the despatch box, we need better answers to these issues than we have had thus far.”