Coastguard Rescue Service
House of Commons · Written Statements · 16 Jul 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
I am making this statement to provide an update on the coastguard rescue service. I would like to begin by recognising the extraordinary contribution made by coastguard rescue officers across the United Kingdom. For generations, HM Coastguard’s coastal response has depended on people from local communities who choose to serve with professionalism, commitment and courage. That tradition remains at the heart of the coastguard rescue service today. On 14 January 2026, the Court of Appeal found against the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the case of the MCA v . Groom. This clarified that, by providing modest remuneration, the MCA had inadvertently created a worker relationship with coastguard rescue officers. A change was therefore required to restore the volunteer model, or enact the worker model, to ensure compliance with the judgment. On 1 June it was communicated that the coastguard rescue service would change to an expenses-only volunteer model from September 2026. This was judged at the time to be the best option, based on the advice provided by the MCA, taking into account a variety of factors. I have listened to the views and testimonies of coastguard rescue officers about how these changes might affect them. I visited a coastguard station in Southampton, met officers from Hill Head and Portsmouth teams, and heard at first hand the impact that changes could have on CROs and their families. MPs across the House, on behalf of their constituents, have raised concerns...