“For the first time we have the upper hand” – Carmichael leads Urgent Question on coastguard remuneration cuts

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has said that “for the first time we have the upper hand” in the fight to protect remuneration for coastguard volunteers, after leading an Urgent Question on the issue in Parliament this afternoon.

In his response to the Urgent Question, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Maritime, Keir Mather MP, confirmed that he had paused further “check in” sessions relating to the planned changes in order to reflect on feedback, and undertook to update MPs on future plans for the policy. The minister also confirmed for the first time that a legislative solution, that would also see the restoration of remuneration to coastguard volunteers, was under consideration by the government.

Currently, Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), which make up the bulk of the Coastguard Rescue Service, are given hourly remuneration for attending incidents and training exercises – approximately £11 per hour. The MCA plans to change these rules following a Court of Appeal judgement earlier this year, which classed responders as “workers” while they were carrying out their duties.

Speaking after the Urgent Question, Mr Carmichael said:

“We have not yet won this battle but for the first time we have the upper hand – there has been a clear shift in tone from the government today. There is more we must do but it now feels as though we have the wind at our back rather than in our face.

“Since last week’s debate the problems with the MCA and its behaviour have only become more apparent. The immediate crisis around coastguard volunteer remuneration is just the tip of the iceberg.

“It was useful for the minister to confirm that he has paused the process in order to reflect on feedback. It is also good that he agreed to keeping MPs updated on next steps, though it would have been better to have a clear commitment to a statement in the House of Commons before the process is resumed.

“The minister stated for the first time that a possible legislative carve-out to restore the previous remuneration system is being considered. No doubt that may be a complicated solution to implement but if the government takes this route there will, I suspect, be ready support across Parliament to ensure it is delivered in a timely manner.

“Ultimately the issues around remuneration are just a part of a deeper malaise within the MCA. We have to solve the immediate crisis now – but the government must take on the underlying cultural issues within the agency for the long term as well.”