Current arrangements will remain in place after ministers admitted consultation work failed to properly assess the impact on volunteers and coastal operations

PLANS to move Coastguard Rescue Officers to an expenses-only volunteer system have been abandoned following widespread concern from crews, MPs and trade unions.

The Department for Transport confirmed on Thursday (July 16) that the proposed change, which had been due to take effect in September 2026, will no longer go ahead.

Current payment arrangements for Coastguard Rescue Officers will remain in place while the Maritime and Coastguard Agency carries out further consultation on the future of the service.

The reversal follows warnings that removing modest payments could force experienced officers to leave, placing additional pressure on teams responsible for responding to emergencies around the UK coastline.

Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained volunteers who attend incidents including cliff rescues, searches for missing people, flooding, maritime emergencies and casualties cut off by the tide.

The proposed expenses-only model was announced on June 1 following a Court of Appeal ruling in the case of Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom.

The judgment found that the payment of modest remuneration had inadvertently created a worker relationship between the MCA and Coastguard Rescue Officers.

The Government said the ruling meant it would either need to restore a fully voluntary model or formally adopt a worker model to remain legally compliant.

Transport minister Keir Mather said the expenses-only option had initially been considered the most appropriate response, based on advice provided by the MCA.

However, he said further scrutiny had revealed that two surveys used to inform the decision had not been detailed enough to properly assess the consequences for individual officers, their families or the wider service.

Mr Mather said: “I can confirm that plans to move to the expenses-only volunteer model in September will not go ahead and current arrangements will remain in place.”

He said ministers had listened to concerns raised by Coastguard Rescue Officers, MPs and trade unions, including during parliamentary questions, an urgent question and a Westminster Hall debate.

Mr Mather also visited a Coastguard station in Southampton, where he met members of the Hill Head and Portsmouth teams to hear directly how the changes could affect officers and their families.

He added: “Coastguard Rescue Officers must feel that their views have been heard and that they are valued, respected and empowered to carry out their duties.

“I am committed to ensuring that we now take the time to robustly gather the information required to understand the full operational implications of future decisions.”

Over the coming months, the MCA will consult directly with Coastguard Rescue Officers, trade unions and MPs before deciding on the longer-term structure of the service.

The Department for Transport will also examine how officers can continue to be properly recognised and rewarded while retaining the flexibility needed to serve their local communities.

Mr Mather said protecting the public around the coastline and recognising the work of Coastguard Rescue Officers remained his key priorities.

Natural Resources Wales and Public Health Wales urge people to check conditions and take precautions as temperatures rise

People heading to Wales’ beaches, rivers and lakes are being urged to take extra care as warmer weather encourages more families and swimmers into open water.

Natural Resources Wales and Public Health Wales have issued joint safety advice ahead of the school summer holidays, warning that conditions in natural waters can change rapidly and may present risks that are not immediately visible.

Although outdoor swimming can provide physical and mental health benefits, officials say rivers, lakes and coastal waters are very different from managed swimming pools.

Potential hazards include cold-water shock, strong currents, sudden changes in depth, underwater obstacles and blooms of blue-green algae.

Even during hot weather, water temperatures can remain dangerously cold. Entering too quickly can trigger cold-water shock, affecting breathing and movement and increasing the risk of drowning.

Water that appears clean may also contain harmful bacteria, viruses or other contaminants from agricultural runoff, urban drainage, wildlife, wastewater or storm overflow discharges.

The risk can increase after periods of heavy rainfall, although officials stressed that water quality can vary at any time.

While a number of coastal areas and a small number of river locations in Wales are designated bathing waters and regularly monitored between May and September, most rivers, lakes and inland waters are not routinely tested for bathing purposes.

Bathing water designation provides information to help people make informed choices, but it does not guarantee that the water will always be free from pollution or other health risks.

Hamish Osborn, Environment Team Leader at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We know more people are looking to rivers, lakes and coastal waters to cool off and enjoy the outdoors during periods of hot weather.

“Wales has fantastic places to connect with nature, but natural waters are different from managed swimming environments and conditions can change quickly.

“Most rivers and lakes in Wales are not designated bathing waters, so we encourage people to make informed choices about where and when they enter the water, follow the Wild Swimming Code and take sensible steps to protect their health and safety.”

Alice Munro, Consultant in Environmental Public Health at Public Health Wales, said weather, tides, currents and water depth could all change quickly.

She said: “Even in summer, the water can be extremely cold and cause cold-water shock if you get in too quickly, which can lead to drowning.

“You may also not be able to see underwater dangers, especially if you dive or jump in. Getting in slowly and wearing a flotation device can reduce these risks when swimming in unfamiliar waters.”

People are advised to choose known and suitable swimming locations wherever possible, including designated bathing waters, and to check the weather, tides and local conditions before entering.

Swimmers should avoid swallowing water, cover cuts and grazes with waterproof dressings and wash their hands before eating or drinking.

They should shower as soon as possible after swimming and regularly clean wetsuits and other equipment.

Anyone who has recently suffered from diarrhoea or vomiting should stay out of the water. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea develop after swimming.

More than 4,300 people have applied to study nursing in Wales, but the profession’s union says students must be assured of employment when they qualify

INTEREST in studying nursing in Wales has remained broadly stable following last year’s five-year high, according to the latest university application figures.

Data published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, known as UCAS, shows that 4,340 people had applied for nursing courses in Wales by the June 2026 deadline.

That is 30 fewer than the 4,370 applications recorded at the same point last year, representing a decrease of approximately 0.7%.

However, the latest total remains significantly higher than in 2024, when 3,870 applications were received. Applications rose by almost 13% between 2024 and 2025, suggesting that interest in joining the profession has remained relatively resilient despite the pressures facing NHS Wales.

The Royal College of Nursing Wales welcomed the continued interest but said attracting people into nursing education must be matched by clear employment opportunities once they complete their training.

Professor Sandy Harding, Associate Director of Nursing Policy and Professional Practice at RCN Wales, said: “It is encouraging to see continued interest in nursing programmes in Wales.

“While application numbers are slightly lower than last year, the difference is minimal and follows a particularly strong year for recruitment.

“Nursing remains a rewarding and valued profession, and we are pleased that so many people continue to choose Wales as a place to study.”

She said many applicants would come from outside Wales, bringing different experiences and perspectives to universities and the future nursing workforce.

The latest figures come amid continuing concern about the number of jobs available to nurses after they qualify.

In May, Health Education and Improvement Wales announced that 809 roles would be made available across NHS Wales for nurses completing their training during the remainder of 2026.

RCN Wales said that was enough to provide jobs for around 69% of the anticipated graduating cohort, potentially leaving almost one in three newly qualified nurses without a confirmed NHS role in Wales.

The union has repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to introduce a graduate guarantee, ensuring that nursing students trained in Wales are offered employment within the Welsh NHS after qualifying.

The Herald previously reported that 65 final-year adult nursing students connected to Swansea Bay University Health Board had been left with no suitable vacancies to apply for despite completing much of their clinical training in local hospitals.

At the time, the health board was understood to have introduced a partial vacancy freeze because of financial pressures.

The situation prompted criticism from the RCN, which warned of a contradiction between reports of staff shortages across NHS Wales and the lack of entry-level posts for people completing nursing degrees.

RCN figures highlighted in earlier Herald reporting suggested NHS Wales was struggling to fill more than 1,400 registered nurse vacancies during late 2025.

The union warned that shortages were placing additional pressure on existing staff, increasing reliance on agency workers and contributing to burnout and unpaid overtime.

Professor Harding said Wales had invested considerably in educating its future nursing workforce and should ensure that graduates were not forced to move elsewhere to begin their careers.

She said: “As students prepare to begin their nursing education this September, we look forward to welcoming them and supporting them throughout their studies.

“We will engage with many of them during their first placement experiences and in their early weeks of clinical practice.

“At the same time, it is important that we continue to focus on employment opportunities for those completing their nursing programmes.

“Wales has invested significantly in educating the next generation of nurses, and we want newly qualified registrants to be able to build their careers within the Welsh NHS and wider health and care system.”

The RCN fears that graduates who cannot secure suitable posts could be lost to health services elsewhere in the United Kingdom, overseas or outside the profession altogether.

It has also raised concerns about career development for nurses who do secure employment, including limited progression from Band 5 roles and a lack of funded support programmes for newly qualified staff.

Professor Harding added: “RCN Wales continues to call on the Welsh Government to guarantee employment opportunities for all nursing graduates in Wales.

“At a time when services face significant workforce pressures, it is essential that newly qualified nurses are able to move into practice, develop their skills and contribute to patient care.

“Supporting people into nursing education and ensuring there are opportunities for them when they graduate are both critical to building a sustainable nursing workforce for the future.”

The UCAS figures record applications rather than the number of students who ultimately accept places and begin courses.

Further acceptance and enrolment data will therefore provide a clearer indication of how many new nursing students are expected to begin their studies in Wales during the new academic year.