Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has conducted an equality impact assessment of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s decision to remove hourly remuneration for Coastguard Rescue Officers.

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling.  The revised model is due to be implemented in September 2026.

Public safety remains our priority and 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.

Contingency plans are in place to enable the continuation of maritime and coastal search and rescue.

Coastguard Rescue Officers will continue to receive training, equipment and operational support as well as uniforms and personal protective equipment as they do today.