VOLUNTEER coastguards across the UK are set to lose callout payments, prompting concern over the future resilience of emergency cover in coastal areas such as Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is ending payments of about £11 an hour for Coastguard Rescue Officers attending emergency incidents, following a Court of Appeal ruling that paid callouts meant volunteers could be classed as “workers”.

The decision affects around 3,000 volunteer coastguards who form the backbone of the Coastguard Rescue Service, responding to cliff rescues, mud rescues, missing person searches, water incidents and other emergencies around the UK coastline.

In Pembrokeshire, where communities from St Dogmaels to Tenby, Angle, Dale, Milford Haven, Fishguard and St Davids depend heavily on rapid coastal response, the move is likely to cause serious concern.

Coastguard Rescue Officers are volunteers, but until now have been able to claim modest payments when called away from work, family life or rest periods to attend incidents.

The MCA says the change is needed to protect the volunteer model, while unions and campaigners argue that removing payments could damage recruitment, retention and availability.

GMB Union has described the move as “reprehensible”, saying coastguard officers are often called out in dangerous conditions and at unsociable hours to protect the public.

A parliamentary petition has also called for legislation allowing emergency volunteers to be remunerated without losing volunteer status.

The issue is due to be debated at Westminster on Tuesday (Jun 30), with coastal MPs expected to raise concerns about the possible impact on public safety.

For Pembrokeshire, the debate is particularly relevant. The county has one of the most heavily used coastlines in Wales, with busy beaches, dangerous cliffs, strong tides, mud flats, harbours, marinas and large numbers of visitors during the summer months.

HM Coastguard says the service will continue to provide a robust search and rescue response and that volunteers will still be able to claim expenses.

But critics say the removal of callout payments risks making it harder for ordinary working people to remain in the service, particularly those who lose income when leaving their jobs to attend emergencies.

The Herald understands that concern is growing nationally that the decision could narrow the pool of volunteers able to serve, making the service less representative of the communities it protects.

A spokesperson for the MCA said the agency “deeply values” coastguard volunteers and recognises the significant service they provide.

They added that HM Coastguard would support volunteers during the transition and continue to maintain an effective search and rescue response around the UK coastline.

However, campaigners say the question remains simple: if coastal communities rely on these volunteers to save lives, should they be expected to do so entirely unpaid?

With the summer season now underway, the decision is likely to be watched closely in coastal counties such as Pembrokeshire, where the coastguard is not a distant national service, but a vital part of daily life.

RSPCA says police are also investigating after further reports in same town

FRESH concerns have been raised in Milford Haven following reports of new animal shootings in the town.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is aware of further incidents and said Dyfed-Powys Police are also believed to be involved.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is concerning and our hearts go out to anyone who has been affected by these incidents.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01751732 or please contact the police who are also investigating.”

The latest reports follow earlier incidents in the Hakin area, where cats and wildlife were targeted with an air gun.

Earlier this month, the RSPCA issued an appeal after a cat died after being shot for a second time. A pigeon was also put to sleep after being found with an airgun pellet injury, while several cats had previously been shot in the area.

The charity said anyone caught deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine under the Animal Welfare Act.

Deliberately injuring or killing wild birds is also a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The RSPCA added that cats and wildlife are particularly vulnerable because they are often outside with nobody to protect them.

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01751732, or contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

CEREDIGION Penfro MS Anna Nicholl has welcomed the Welsh Government’s broad ambition to strengthen rural resilience and sustainability, but has warned that farmers and local communities must be involved in shaping the detail if policies are to work in practice.

Speaking during a Senedd debate on June 23, Ms Nicholl referred to a recent visit to a farm in Pembrokeshire with the Farmers’ Union of Wales, where she heard first-hand about the significant challenges facing the sector.

She highlighted examples of farms working with Farming Connect to reduce emissions, boost biodiversity and increase profits at the same time.

Ms Nicholl welcomed some of the Government’s stated priorities, including tackling bovine TB, reforming nitrate vulnerable zone regulations and cutting red tape, saying they had given the industry “fresh hope”.

But she pressed ministers on how they would work with farmers when drawing up the detail of future policy.

In response, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability said the Sustainable Farming Scheme was being refined following feedback, with an emphasis on working with the sector, making the system easier to navigate and offering greater long-term certainty.

Ms Nicholl said: “It’s clear that change is needed to respond to the climate and nature crises, but that change must happen with our rural communities, not against them.

“It’s not just farming that matters here – it’s about keeping our food system strong, supporting local businesses, and securing jobs in our rural areas.

“Farmers in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire want to see a system that is fair, simple to navigate, and provides real financial security, while also tackling the nature and climate crisis.

“It’s positive to hear that the Government is talking about less bureaucracy and more partnership. I look forward to seeing that happen in practice now.”

Photo caption: Anna Nicholl MS, Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro, on a farm visit in north Pembrokeshire arranged by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.