Ministers have abandoned plans to strip volunteer coastguard officers of their hourly pay following widespread criticism. The announcement, made by maritime minister Keir Mather in parliament on Thursday, was hailed as a significant victory for coastguards, many of whom had threatened to reduce their hours or leave the service entirely if the proposal went ahead. The reversal has also raised questions about the future of Virginia McVea, the chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Background to the Controversy
Coastguard rescue officers (CROs) volunteer to join the service but are paid by the hour when called out. After the Court of Appeal confirmed in January that CROs had been serving as workers rather than pure volunteers—partly due to this remuneration—MCA officials devised a plan to scrap the payments from September. The goal was to legally reclassify CROs as volunteers. However, this move drew heavy criticism from CROs, their union GMB, and parliamentarians. Both Mather and McVea were accused of misleading MPs while justifying the measure. An internal survey, revealed by The Guardian, indicated that the MCA knew the plan risked driving away many experienced CROs.
Government Reversal
Addressing the House of Commons, Mather confirmed the plan was scrapped. He stated: "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 GMB, 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."
Uncertainty Over MCA Leadership
Jerome Mayhew, the shadow transport minister, pressed Mather on whether he still had confidence in McVea, noting that the leaked survey showed widespread opposition among CROs despite McVea's claims of overwhelming support. Mather responded: "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. That is exactly what taking this decision to not move ahead with the new model in September facilitates, to ensure that we treat CROs with the dignity and respect that they deserve, and most importantly get this system right."
