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Written question asked by Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2026. It was answered by Keir Mather (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

HM Coastguard: Voluntary Work

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the context of the (a) Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s decision to cease paying volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers for their time and (b) financial costs associated with providing this voluntary service, what steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the financial impacts on volunteers of providing this service.

Answer

Plans to move the Coastguard Rescue Service to an expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead, and current arrangements will remain in place. We will now take time to gather the robust information required to understand the full operational implications of future decisions, as well as the impact on individual Coastguard Rescue Officers and the choices they will make. This will involve engaging with CROs directly and ensuring that their views inform the decisions that we will take on the shape of the Coastguard Rescue Service.

Serving CROs are entitled to compensation for up to the previous six years of service, in line with the Court of Appeal judgment regarding worker status. The MCA will calculate each person’s entitlement and contact individuals.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17056
Session
2026-27
Subjects
HM Coastguard Voluntary work
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk