Union challenges cuts at Coastguard Agency

The PCS public services union has challenged the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to prove that its plans to cut coastguard stations would not put lives at risk. It called on the agency to run a live test of its proposed centralised control system before a consultation on closing 10 of the UK’s 19 stations ends on 24 March.

The union represents 750 staff in the agency and says it has serious concerns about the loss of local knowledge and the ability to ensure proper emergency cover.

“These cuts could literally be a matter of life and death,” said PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka. “We are deeply concerned that closing these stations would leave our coastlines a more dangerous place to be. If the MCA and the government are confident in their assertion that the cuts won’t cost lives, they should be prepared to put it to the test. Without that, people will rightly conclude that officials and ministers haven’t successfully made their case.”

PCS negotiations officer for the MCA, Jeremy Gautrey, added that the proposals had been drawn up without consultation with operational coastguards. The Commons transport select committee has announced a full inquiry into the proposals.