The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has paused meetings with coastguard rescue teams that were expected to confirm the removal of £11 per hour call-out payments, following a huge backlash and protests. The GMB union described the planned pay cut as 'cruel' and a 'badge of national shame'.
Planned Pay Removal Sparks Outrage
The MCA had been due to hold meetings on Monday to inform coastguards that they would no longer receive the £11 per hour payment for conducting life-saving rescues. However, the meetings were called off at the last minute on Friday after pressure from unions and protests outside Parliament last week.
Nicola Savage, GMB's National Officer, said: 'Thousands of coastguards across the UK were due to be dragged into meetings today and likely be told they will no longer be paid for the incredible work they do. It's cruel, outrageous and it's a badge of national shame that brave volunteers are being treated this way.'
Legal Ruling Behind the Change
The proposed change stems from a Court of Appeal ruling in January that classified coastguards as 'workers' while carrying out paid rescue duties. The MCA argued this legal judgment forced them to revise the volunteer model, moving to a system where coastguards receive only expenses rather than hourly pay.
A MCA spokesman said: 'We can confirm that meetings with Coastguard Rescue Teams have been paused while we take more time to listen to our teams and consider questions and feedback received fully. The decision to move the Coastguard Rescue Service to a revised volunteer model follows a legal judgment, which meant we needed to change how the service operates.'
Union Demands and Campaign Context
The GMB union urged the MCA to abandon the policy entirely. Savage added: 'We hope the MCA calling off the meetings is a sign of hope that they realise this policy is wrong.' The MCA officially recognises the PCS union but is engaging with GMB to find a way forward.
The Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign, launched after the drowning of 16-year-old Sam Haycock in 2021, has called for improved water safety, including compulsory water survival lessons in schools and 'Sam's Law' to require safety equipment at high-risk water bodies.
Coastguard Morale at 'Rock-Bottom'
Last Wednesday, coastguards gathered in Westminster to demand the reinstatement of call-out payments, warning that morale had hit 'rock-bottom'. The MCA stated it 'deeply values and recognises the significant service Coastguard Rescue Officers provide along our coastline.'
