Joe Robertson MP has welcomed the news that the Government has blocked plans of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to remove remuneration payments from Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs).
The MCA planned to strip pay from CROs and move to a volunteer model, following the case brought by Bembridge resident and former CRO Martin Groom.
In what is likely to be the last u-turn of Keir Starmer's premiership, today the Maritime Minister Keir Mather confirmed in the House of Commons that the plans to move to an expenses only volunteer model in September will not go ahead.
Responding to the announcement, Joe said:
“It is very welcome news that the Minister has seen sense and blocked the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s brutal proposal against its own brave frontline workers. The MCA’s announcement to strip pay from Coastguard Rescue Officers after more than 100 years and then misrepresent its own internal survey results was completely wrong and should never have happened."
"I sincerely thank Martin for standing up to the MCA in the first place and it is thanks to him that we finally secured Government backing. The Government now needs to look at the whole Coastguard Rescue Service model and consult fully and meaningfully with the more than 3,000 Coastguard Rescue Officers. Whatever decisions are finally taken, the Government must ensure that our hero CROs continue to be remunerated for the hours they put in helping to save lives and keep our coastal communities safe.”
Joe has been leading a campaign on behalf of CROs across the country, with cross-party support from other MPs, hosting a Parliamentary event, speaking with Government Ministers and meeting with MCA Chief Executive, Virginia McVea. He secured a face to face meeting between Mr Groom and the Minister. Joe has called for the Government to review the organisation and leadership of the MCA following the announcement.
