Coastguard Update
Posted by Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth, at 16:32, Thu 14 July 2011:
We have not been able to keep the Great Yarmouth coastguard. The loss of jobs in our area (circa 25 Full time Equivalents) is not a good thing and I cannot pretend in any format that the loss of jobs is ever good. It is not and it is a loss, I am disappointed by that.
However, the logic and the reasoning behind why the coastguard wants the changes they have put forward do make sense. It is a more robust and modern system, as the current system is not 40 years old. It needs to be updated and the original plan had nothing to cover the Eastern Coastline, which was unacceptable.
I and my Eastern Coastline colleagues have met with the Minister and also the Secretary of State to outline our concerns. That along with the wide public consultation (with over 1800 replies I understand) has led to the revised proposals.
There will now be a centre at Humber. This may seem a long way away and not ideal for Great Yarmouth or our Broads and coastline, however that needs to be considered in context. The Humber is the current twin to Great Yarmouth so is already dealing with issues for our area and as such the local knowledge is retained.
In the House of Commons today I also asked specifically about keeping even more local knowledge by asking that we will ensure that where opportunities arise the Great Yarmouth staff will be offered the opportunity to relocate to further confirm that local knowledge and the Secretary of State confirmed this would be allowed. More importantly this is now out for another 12 week consultation so anyone with views can feed them in. I should also stress that the original proposals go back some years and were inherited by the Government, but mainly that they are the proposals of the Coastguard service, not the government. In fact the government has altered them (hence the new consultation) to keep more centres such as the Humber and to keep it as a 24 hour service.
Do not misunderstand me, for the purpose of local jobs I would have preferred to keep a Great Yarmouth centre with those local jobs. However, in terms of having a modern, safe and efficient Coastguard the proposals do seem very logical.
Comments
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Posted by desmond, 00:36, Fri 15 July 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Still its another 25 full time jobs gone......or the equivelent, What does that mean 50 part time jobs where people still rely on top up benefits to maintain even the lowest basic standard of living... My view is there should be a minimum ammount of part time positions in any area. Am i right in thinking people in part time work do not contribute to the jobless total so looks good in terms of the media. what is the true number of people in full time employment and how many in part time employment... thats what i would like to know.
Posted by Kim Hastings, 09:10, Fri 15 July 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
A new outer harbour, a busy offshore gas industry, Great Yarmouth is going to be the hub for offshore decommisioning, our major input to the offshore wind turbine industry. All these are statements that you have used recently yet you fail to retian a coastguard station !!! Well done Mr. Lewis. Another monumental balls up.
Posted by desmond, 04:01, Sat 16 July 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
I think you are right Miss Hastings. Good observation. I genuinely fear for our town and the unemployment and lack of proper full time work for our worforce....As a matter of interest have you noted how many part time employees work for Debenhams compared to full time employees its a scandal in my eyes My belief is that there should be 75% of any work force in full time emoyployment by law.I believe this is why we have no money in the town as everybody i know is being forced to work part time and supplement there income from state handouts. No wonder people are losing there self respect.
Posted by Kim Hastings, 16:37, Mon 18 July 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Desmond, I don't like being categorised as a Miss, Mrs or Ms..................especially as I'm a bloke !! Just thought you'd like to know.
Posted by desmond, 05:44, Tue 19 July 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
No problem Mr Hastings, First "bloke" i have known named Kim, My apologies.