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Written question asked by Michael Wheeler (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 July 2026 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 16 July 2026. A substantive answer was provided by Keir Mather (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Pay

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the Maritime and Coastguard Agency changed the operating model of the Coastguard Rescue Service to an unpaid model rather making changes necessary to reflect the Court of Appeal judgment in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Martin Groom and bringing volunteers' status into line with that of a worker.

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.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18348
Session
2026-27
Registered interest declared
Yes
Subjects
Pay Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk