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HM Coastguard: Voluntary Work

Asked by Jerome MayhewConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 18 June 2026UIN 8117

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation the Maritime and Coastguard Agency undertook with a) Coastguard Rescue Officers, b) coastal communities, c) island communities and d) local resilience forums before introducing the revised volunteer model.

Answered by Keir Mather

There has been significant engagement with the Coastguard Rescue Service over the past few months leading up to and since the Court of Appeal judgement, on the implications for the service, and since the changes to the model were communicated to members. This has included continual engagement through Area Management Teams, senior leadership visits and national representative forums, as well as two all-member surveys which played a direct part in understanding the impact of models upon the service. This engagement was part of a careful consideration of the available options.

His Majesty’s Coastguard will continue to engage closely over the coming weeks to help members understand what the new changes mean for them as individuals.

Strategic Partners have been advised of the changes to the current Coastguard Rescue Service model.

Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model.

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