[PCS: New MP's inquiry into coastguard cuts fuels call for consultation halt

Friday, 18 February 2011 12:00 AM

New MPs' inquiry into coastguard cuts fuels call for consultation halt

The government should call an immediate halt to plans to close 10 of the UK's 19 coastguard stations and cut almost half their staff, the Public and Commercial Services union says after a committee of MPs announced it wants to look into the issue in detail.

The Commons transport select committee, which has already questioned the Maritime and Coastguard Agency over its plans, yesterday (17) announced a full inquiry into the government's proposals for "modernising the coastguard".

Earlier this month, PCS called on the MCA to run a live test of its planned new centralised control system to prove the cuts will not cost lives. This simulation could be carried out using data for any time of year.

At prime minister's questions on Wednesday (16) David Cameron said the MCA had to "prove in the consultation that it wants to co-ordinate the number of offices that receive calls, in order to put more money and resources into the frontline service".

The transport committee will be accepting submissions up to 26 April, but the MCA consultation is due to close on 24 March. PCS, which represents 750 staff at the agency, says in light of this the consultation should now be scrapped.

The MCA announced in December it wants to close the 10 stations and reduce opening at five others so they will only operate in daylight hours. Centres in Solent and Aberdeen would be expanded as part of a plan to centralise control operations.

Of the 89 MPs who have now signed a parliamentary motion opposing the cuts, 19 are from the governing coalition parties - including the Liberal Democrats' current president Tim Farron and former leaders Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy. More than 1,200 people have written to their MPs on the issue through the PCS website.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Our members, who are knowledgeable and highly experienced, have very real concerns that these cuts will cost lives, and so far we have seen no evidence from the MCA to the contrary"

"We have previously said the agency should prove its proposed system will work, but this new inquiry now surely means the government should accept the consultation is flawed and should be stopped."

ENDS

Notes

- For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

- The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK's sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich

- Follow PCS on Twitter

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