UK Coastguard Volunteers Face Pay Cuts After Court Ruling
Thousands of volunteers told they will no longer be paid for saving people's lives by HM Coastguard - after judge ruled they were actually workers and had employment rights
Image: Mail Online
HM Coastguard has announced that its 3,500 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) will no longer receive hourly pay for emergency responses, following a court ruling classifying them as workers. This decision has led to immediate resignations and concerns over public safety as volunteers express fears about the impact on emergency response capabilities.
- 01The Court of Appeal ruled that Coastguard Rescue Officers are legally 'workers', prompting HM Coastguard to remove hourly remuneration.
- 02Volunteers previously received just over £11 per hour for their services, which was intended to compensate for disruptions to their personal lives.
- 03The decision has already resulted in resignations from senior officers, who argue that it undermines the value of their service.
- 04The Maritime and Coastguard Agency insists that public safety will not be compromised, despite volunteers fearing a decline in emergency response effectiveness.
- 05The changes are set to take effect by mid-September, with volunteers continuing to receive remuneration during the summer.
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HM Coastguard has informed its 3,500 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) that starting in September, they will no longer receive hourly pay for their emergency response duties. This decision follows a landmark Court of Appeal ruling which determined that volunteers who received payments could be classified as workers, thus exposing the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to potential employment rights claims. The removal of pay has sparked outrage among volunteers, leading to immediate resignations from senior positions and concerns about the future of the service. Volunteers argue that the compensation was crucial for recognizing their commitment and the sacrifices made from their personal lives. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has stated that this change is necessary to protect the service's future and will not affect public safety. However, many volunteers fear that the lack of remuneration will deter individuals from responding to emergencies, especially during a time of rising living costs. The changes are expected to take full effect by mid-September, although remuneration will continue during the summer months.
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The decision to remove pay for Coastguard Rescue Officers may lead to a decline in volunteer participation, impacting emergency response capabilities.
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