Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has made of the impact of the removal of remuneration for Coastguard Rescue Officers on (a) recruitment, (b) retention, and (c) operational capability.

In the last 12 months the following number of Coastguard Rescue Officers have left the Coastguard Rescue Service – Coastguard Rescue Officers leave the service for a variety of reasons:

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.

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.