The UK government has reversed its decision to end hourly payments for volunteer coastguard rescue officers (CROs) following intense backlash from the service, unions, and MPs. Maritime Minister Keir Mather announced the U-turn in Parliament on Thursday, describing it as a victory for coastguards who had threatened to reduce hours or leave if the plan proceeded.
Background of the Controversy
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) had proposed scrapping the hourly pay for CROs starting in September, reclassifying them as pure volunteers who would only receive expenses. This followed a Court of Appeal ruling in January that confirmed CROs were workers, not volunteers, due to their remuneration. Instead of recognizing worker status, the MCA chose to eliminate pay to legally define them as volunteers.
The plan faced severe criticism from CROs, the GMB union, and parliamentarians. An internal MCA survey, leaked to The Guardian, revealed that the measure risked driving away many experienced volunteers. Coastguards mounted a nationwide campaign, taking their fight to Parliament.
Government Reversal
Addressing the Commons, Mather said: “We want to ensure that CROs are treated with dignity, with respect and they are empowered to carry out the incredible duties that they do. Having listened to the views and testimonies of CROs first-hand, I can confirm that the move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead, and that current arrangements will remain in place.”
Nicola Savage, a national officer with the GMB union, said: “It was a scandal that these brave, life-saving workers would have their pay cut. But ministers have listened and done the right thing.”
Questions Over MCA Leadership
The U-turn has raised questions about the position of Virginia McVea, the MCA’s chief executive. Shadow Transport Minister Jerome Mayhew pressed Mather on whether he had confidence in McVea, noting that she had told MPs the proposal had overwhelming support, despite the survey showing widespread opposition. Mather declined to express confidence, stating: “The MCA and His Majesty’s Coastguard do vital work and ministers have full confidence in the service, but when those on the ground raise concerns of the scale that we’ve seen and when the evidence base proves insufficient, it’s absolutely right that we pause and that we engage again.”
The decision ensures that CROs will continue to receive hourly pay for callouts, preserving a system that has been in place for years.
