Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency plans are in place to maintain operational resilience of HM Coastguard if significant numbers of experienced Coastguard Rescue Officers leave the service as a result of the removal of hourly remuneration and intention to implement a revised volunteer model by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

A Court of Appeal ruling found that the current remuneration model could not legally continue.

Public safety remains our priority, and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, and the wider organisational impact have all been looked at in detail, as well as the views of current Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO). They were clear that serving their community was a major reason why they volunteer. Protecting volunteering preserves a valuable form of public service. The revised model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to serve alongside their primary employment.

As a result, the decision was made to move to a new model with expenses but no hourly remuneration. This will be implemented in September 2026.

Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.