A union has labelled the pay cut a "cruel"16:34, 11 Jul 2026Wales could see a reduction in volunteers providing life-saving support after volunteer coastguards were told they will no longer be paid for emergency call outs, a union has warned.‌he GMB Union has labelled the pay cuts by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as '"cruel". The MCA say it was legally required to stop paying coastguard volunteers after an employment tribunal.‌Coastguard rescue officers (CRO's) in Wales currently receive £12.21 per hour remuneration for operational duties, however that payment will no longer be given to volunteers.‌Simon Wigley, a Coastguard rescue officer with the Teifi Coastguard rescue team, said the announcement had left volunteers feeling "deflated".The team is made up of 24 members and bas