Rescue Services: Voluntary Work
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s decision to introduce a revised volunteer model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what assessment she has made of the impact of that decision on (a) recruitment, (b) retention, (c) callout availability, (d) training attendance and (e) emergency response times.
Answered by Keir Mather
The revised operating model for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) has been agreed following a Court of Appeal ruling, which meant that the current remuneration model could not legally continue.
Recruitment into membership of the CRS continues as it has previously. The new model of volunteers with expenses but no hourly remuneration is due to be implemented in September 2026.
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.
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.
Public safety remains our priority. Changes will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.
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.
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