Chichester’s MP is calling on the government to rethink proposed changes to payments for coastguards.
Jess Brown-Fuller met Selsey coastguard Paul Greenwood in Parliament to discuss concerns about plans to remove payments currently received by local coastguards.
The Liberal Democrat MP says the money is roughly equivalent to the minimum wage for the work coastguards do to help keep coastal communities safe.
She has warned that many coastguards already have paid jobs alongside their lifesaving role, and could be forced to work more hours elsewhere if the payments are removed.
That could make them less available to respond to emergencies, attend training or support coastal safety operations.
Coastguard rescue officers are often called out in difficult and dangerous conditions, including searches for missing people, cliff rescues, water incidents and emergencies along the shoreline.
In coastal areas such as Selsey, the service plays a vital role, particularly during the summer when beaches are busier.
Ms Brown-Fuller says removing the payments would be a short-sighted decision and has confirmed she will write to the government urging ministers to change course.
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