COASTGUARD RESCUE OFFICERS UPDATE

Welcome news for Coastguard Rescue Officers today.

Last week, I joined with Labour colleagues representing coastal constituencies to write to the Minister after Coastguard Rescue Officers and others raised concerns with me about proposals to move the service to an expenses-only volunteer model. Those proposals followed a Court of Appeal judgment which meant the Government needed to review the way Coastguard Rescue Officers are recognised and remunerated.

Today, the Minister has confirmed that those plans will not now go ahead in September 2026, while further engagement takes place with Coastguard Rescue Officers, trade unions and MPs.

You can read the full written ministerial statement here: https://www.gov.uk/.../future-work-of-the-coastguard...

Thank you to everyone who raised this important issue with me. I will continue to keep pressure on the Government until we find a resolution that works for our Coastguard Rescue Officers.