Joe Robertson, Conservative Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, and Bembridge resident Martin Groom brought serving Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) from across the UK to Westminster this week for a Parliamentary drop-in with MPs to discuss the impact of the Government’s decision to remove the modest remuneration they receive (around £11 per hour) for attending callouts, mandatory training and related duties.
Legal case behind the decision
The decision followed the Court of Appeal Judgment in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom, brought by Isle of Wight East Constituent Martin Groom.
Martin served with Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Service for 35 years until he was unfairly removed from his post in 2020.
Joe Robertson MP has warned that the Government’s decision to remove their payments could have serious consequences for recruitment and retention, putting local Coastguard teams and coastal communities at risk.
Frontline responders at risk
CROs are highly trained emergency responders who work alongside the Ambulance, Police and Fire and Rescue Services. They respond to cliff rescues, flooding, missing person searches and other life-threatening incidents around the UK’s coastline.
CROs say that it is the modest remuneration that enables them to make the significant commitment the role demands.
Cross-party support builds
Joe’s Parliamentary event on Wednesday 1st July brought together MPs from across the House to hear directly from serving Coastguard Rescue Officers, as cross party support grows for pausing the Government’s plans and properly consulting those affected.
The drop-in coincided with a Westminster Hall debate, in which Joe raised his concerns about the “callous approach” of Coastguard management and the unwillingness to engage with the “brave men and women working on the frontline to keep our country safe.”
MP calls for a pause
Following the event, Joe Robertson MP said,
“Coastguard Rescue Officers save lives, protect our coast and support public safety. The Government’s decision to remove their remuneration is an insult to our brave men and women working on the frontline to keep our coastlines safe. It must not remove modest remuneration in a way that drives trained volunteers out and puts local Coastguard teams at risk.”
“Martin’s case exposed a legal problem. The Government must not respond to a legal problem by creating a public safety problem. I am calling on Ministers to pause these changes, properly consult Coastguard Rescue Officers and find a practical solution that protects our vital emergency service.”
Martin Groom said,
“Being a Coastguard isn’t what you do, it’s who you are. But in September, if these changes go ahead, someone who calls 999 and asks for a coastguard may find there is no one available to respond.”
News shared by the office of Joe Robertson, in their own words. Ed
