Union leaders warn over coastguard cuts
Union leaders are set to tell MPs of their concerns about government plans to cut back on coastguard centres, leaving just one in the South West.
Under government proposals, the number of round-the-clock coastguard centres will be reduced from 18 to just three.
On Tuesday the House of Commons Transport Committee will take evidence on the coastguard plans from the Public and Commercial Services Union, the RMT transport union , the Prospect union and the ships' masters' union Nautilus.
In the Government's plan, there will be three 24-hour operational centres - at Aberdeen, in the Southampton/Portsmouth area and at Dover.
In addition, there will be five sub-centres open during daylight hours - at Swansea, at Falmouth in Cornwall, at Bridlington in East Yorkshire, at either Belfast or Liverpool and at either Stornoway or Shetland.
Shipping minister Mike Penning has said the major reorganisation of the coastguard will improve services and cut costs.
He added that the current system was "not well placed" to meet the challenge of larger ships, congested seas and the increasing number of people visiting coastal areas for leisure activities.
When the coastguard plans were announced last year, RMT leader Bob Crow said: "It's a shocking indictment on this ConDem Government that plans to cut our coastguards could even be considered, let alone implemented, and shows that they are quite prepared to hack away at life or death services. These proposals must be fought tooth and nail every step of the way.
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