The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's plan to stop hourly remuneration for rescue officers in Merseyside has been halted, following a campaign by the GMB Union. Transport Minister Keir Mather announced in Parliament on July 16 that the move to an expenses-only volunteer model, set for September, will not go ahead.
Background to the Dispute
On June 1, the Marine and Coastguard Agency told the Coastguard Rescue Service that rescue officers would no longer receive £11-an-hour compensation for time spent on call-outs and training. Many of these officers are volunteers balancing their duties with full-time jobs. The announcement came just days after volunteers from Crosby Coastguard Station rescued 100 people in a single incident in May.
An employment tribunal in 2024 and a subsequent Court of Appeal decision in January ruled that coastguard volunteers are workers, entitling them to benefits including paid holiday. The GMB Union described the Agency's decision as “reprehensible”.
Government Response
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson had argued that the decision was made to "best protect the future of the service" following the legal judgment. They said: "This decision follows a legal judgment, which means we need to change how the service operates. This is not something we wanted to do but is a consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. This new model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to volunteer alongside their primary employment."
However, Minister Keir Mather confirmed in Parliament: "I can confirm that plans to move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead, and current arrangements will remain in place."
Union Victory
GMB national officer Nicola Savage said: "This is a richly deserved win for GMB’s coastguards, who took their campaign across the UK and into the corridors of power. It was a scandal that these brave, life-saving workers would have their pay cut. But ministers have listened and done the right thing."
Local residents had expressed anger over the proposed cuts, which affected around 100 rescue officers in Merseyside. The current compensation model remains in place, ensuring volunteers continue to receive £11 per hour for their time.
