Joan Humble, Member of Parliament for Blackpool North and Fleetwood has backed calls in the House of Commons for fair pay for Maritime & Coastguard Agency staff.

Mrs Humble said:

"There is a huge disparity in pay rates between the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and comparable emergency services. Those differences in pay should be addressed to recognise the dedication and professionalism of Maritime & Coastguard Agency staff. We have seen just how important they are here in Blackpool when Maritime & Coastguard Agency staff co-ordinated the emergency response when lives were at risk on the Riverdance Ferry. Coastguard watch assistants earn only just above the national minimum wage. Now is the time to act."