Carmichael demands time for debate in Parliament on cuts to coastguard remuneration

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament demanded government time for a debate on changes to the remuneration of coastguard volunteers.

Currently Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), which make up the bulk of the Coastguard Rescue Service, are given hourly remuneration for attending incidents and training exercises – approximately £11 per hour. The MCA plans to change these rules following a Court of Appeal judgement earlier this year, which classed responders as “workers” while they were carrying out their duties.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“May we have a debate in Government time on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposed changes to the way it compensates those who give their time as coastguard volunteers? The agency’s current proposals are causing massive concern among volunteer coastguards in my constituency and right around the coastline. We risk seeing those volunteers being forced to walk away, leaving communities without the necessary protection as a result.

“Surely the Leader of the House can agree that not to take on board those concerns before making the changes demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for those who volunteer their services in this way?”

Responding for the government, the Leader of the House, Sir Alan Campbell MP said:

“The right hon. Gentleman will know that the decision to move to a new model was the result of a Court of Appeal judgment that found that the current arrangements could not legally continue. That should not suggest any disrespect for the coastguard service, which is instrumental in keeping people safe around our communities. I represent a coastal community, as he knows, and I am acutely aware of the importance of the coastguard service and of the need to get this right.

“The matter was raised at Transport questions by a number of colleagues, and the Transport Minister at that point agreed to meet colleagues. If the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting that such a meeting would help him to make his case—and it is a strong case—then I will help to arrange it.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“Whether or not disrespect was intended, disrespect is very much being felt by coastguard volunteers up and down the country as a result of the decisions being made by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. That concern is only being compounded by the lack of meaningful engagement by MCA leadership.

“The coastguard is an absolutely vital service for the Northern Isles. Words of sympathy and references to legal necessity cannot obscure the basic reality that this decision risks undermining the future viability of coastguard volunteering. One way or another I workable solution must be found – I will be following this up in meetings next week.”