Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateBayo Alaba
Main Page: Bayo Alaba (Labour - Southend East and Rochford)Department Debates - View all Bayo Alaba's debates with the Department for Transport
(1 month ago)
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Mr Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Alec. I thank the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr Carmichael) for securing this debate on an issue that concerns those in my constituency. The south Essex coastline is one of my constituency’s greatest assets—beloved by residents, depended upon by our fishing community and a magnet for the more than 7 million day visitors who flock to Southend alone each year. But as beautiful as our coastline is, it can also be treacherous, from unpredictable tides to shifting mudflats.
Protection from physical danger requires specialised skills, a rapid response and a deep local knowledge. The Southend-on-Sea coastguard rescue team covers roughly 70 miles of coastline, and its 11 volunteers are the reason why our community can safely enjoy locations such as Shoeburyness’s east beach, the marshes of Wallasea island and, of course, Southend pier. Rescue officers, those who—