UK government drops plan to stop paying coastguard volunteers

The UK government has reversed its controversial plan to eliminate hourly pay for volunteer coastguard officers, The Guardian reports. The maritime minister announced the U-turn in parliament on Thursday after facing intense criticism, with many volunteers warning they would reduce their service hours or leave entirely if the policy had been implemented. The reversal is being celebrated as a significant victory for coastguard staff, though it has raised questions about the future of Virginia McVea, head of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

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