Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the (a) Court of Appeal judgment in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom [2026] EWCA Civ 6 and (b) Employment Rights Act 2025 on the operational model, recruitment and retention of Coastguard Rescue Officers; and whether she plans to make changes to the (i) status and (ii) funding of HM Coastguard.

The Department and Maritime and Coastguard Agency is currently evaluating the judgment of the court of appeal and is carefully considering next steps to agree the future operational model for the Coastguard Rescue Service. This includes extensive consultation with all members of the Coastguard Rescue Service and other interested parties to determine the status and future funding model of HM Coastguard, in line with the determination.

The welfare and safety of all Coastguard Rescue Officers remain our priority, and the MCA will continue to support and work with all members of the Coastguard Rescue Service recognising the impact on individuals while assessing any potential liabilities and impacts of the judgement.