“Major win for coastguard volunteers” – government intervenes to pause remuneration changes

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today welcomed a major win for coastguard volunteers, as the government intervened to pause planned changes to volunteer remuneration by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. In a written ministerial statement this morning, the minister for maritime, Keir Mather MP, confirmed that the changes, due to come into force in September, were to be paused for further assessment and feedback to ensure a fair settlement for volunteers. A permanent legislative solution is also being studied.

The news follows extensive campaigning by current and former coastguard officers, and sustained pressure in Parliament, with Mr Carmichael leading a parliamentary debate on the issue at the start of July, followed by an Urgent Question last week and a question to the Prime Minister yesterday (Wednesday).

Mr Carmichael 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.”