James Wild MP has called on ministers to urgently pause planned changes to Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) payments that could severely undermine this emergency service.
He called for a halt to the plans due to take effect in September to allow time to develop a long term solution and warned the move to a volunteer-with-expenses model risks reducing volunteer availability and undermining the resilience of coastal rescue teams.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has announced that under the plans Coastguard Rescue Officers will move from the current payment system to a volunteer-with-expenses model. Coastguard Rescue Officers are emergency responders and provide an emergency service via 999. Currently, officers receive £11 an hour for callouts and training, with a minimum three-hour payment, but under the proposed changes they would receive expenses only.
Speaking during an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, James highlighted concerns from Coastguard Rescue Officers he has met, including members of Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team, and the vital role they play in protecting residents and visitors along the coast.
Speaking in the Commons, James Wild MP said:
“The Hunstanton coastguard rescue officers I have met responded to 150 emergency shouts last year, and the small payment helped them to perform this role for locals and visitors alike.
“However, with 50% of officers in East Anglia saying they would quit or reduce their availability, is the Minister really prepared to take responsibility for the risk to public safety, or will he now simply stop these changes from coming into effect in September while we work on a long-term solution?”
The figure James cited was from an MCA survey of CROSs, and in response, Transport Minister Keir Mather MP acknowledged the concerns raised, saying:
“We need to work through this process strategically and methodically to ensure we are taking the right decision based on data and the lived experience of CROs. I have paused the engagement this week to allow us to more clearly get a better read of this situation, and that will inform my approach.”
James has continued to support CROs in their campaign to protect the current arrangements. He recently welcomed members of the Hunstanton team to Parliament as they travelled to Westminster to make their case and he heard more about the potential impact of moving away from the current payment system before he then raised their concerns with ministers.
One of the Coastguard Rescue Team told James:
“No CRO does what we do for the money; the money allows us to do what we do.”
Hunstanton Coastguard Rescue Team has served the local community since 1867. Its officers train throughout the year and respond to emergency callouts at all hours, providing support along a coastline that sees significant numbers of residents and visitors, particularly during the summer months.
Since the announcement of the changes, James has been contacted by a large number of volunteers across the North West Norfolk coast and has previously urged the MCA’s Chief Executive to reconsider the proposals, warning that removing payments could affect recruitment, retention and the availability of volunteers when emergencies occur.
Commenting, James Wild MP said:
“Coastguard Rescue Officers do extraordinary work to keep people safe, often giving up time with their families and leaving work to respond to emergencies even at the most unsociable hours.
“These modest payments help make that commitment possible and keep people safe. The government needs to think again, pause these plans, and work with coastguards on a better model, otherwise we risk losing highly trained emergency responders. I will keep pressing for a solution to maintain this service and protect people on our coast.”
