North Cornwall MP welcomes Government U-turn on Coastguard payments

Ben Maguire says the climbdown follows “sustained pressure” from volunteers, coastal communities and MPs — and calls it “a very welcome U-turn.”

North Cornwall’s Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire has welcomed the Government’s decision to halt plans to scrap hourly call-out payments for Coastguard Rescue Officers, following sustained concern from volunteers, coastal communities and MPs in Parliament.

The Government has confirmed that current payment arrangements will remain in place while “further work is undertaken” to find a long-term solution. The decision follows weeks of mounting pressure over proposals that many feared would damage recruitment, retention and frontline search and rescue capability.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) had planned to move to an “expenses-only” volunteer model from September, ending the roughly £11-an-hour payments that Coastguard Rescue Officers currently receive for attending call-outs and training. The change followed a Court of Appeal ruling earlier this year that found officers carrying out paid activity should be classed as “workers” entitled to employment rights such as holiday and sick pay.

The plan drew opposition from across the political spectrum, with more than 30 MPs raising concerns in a Westminster Hall debate and a subsequent urgent question in the Commons. In the South West the stakes are particularly high, with around 400 officers serving across 36 Coastguard teams in Devon and Cornwall — part of a UK-wide service of more than 3,000 volunteers who respond to cliff falls, water rescues and coastal emergencies in all weathers.

Commenting on the decision, Ben Maguire MP said: “This is a very welcome U-turn. Our Coastguard Rescue Officers in North Cornwall carry out an incredible job, often in dangerous conditions and at a moment’s notice, helping to keep people safe.

“I repeatedly raised this issue in Parliament because I was deeply concerned about the severe impact these changes could have on coastal areas. I’m pleased the Government has now finally listened to us, and stepped back from implementing these proposals in September.

“This must now be used as an opportunity to closely work with Coastguard Rescue Officers to develop a fair, sustainable outcome that properly recognises the vital role they play in protecting lives, and of course a huge thanks must go out to the Coastguard volunteers themselves.”

Mr Maguire had pressed the issue during an urgent question in the Commons on 8 July, when maritime minister Keir Mather faced questions from MPs on all sides. Further discussions between the Government, the agency, unions and volunteers are expected to take place in September.