The public could be put at risk unless action is taken to support Fife lifeguards during the coronavirus crisis, it’s been claimed.
Dunfermline and West Fife SNP MP Douglas Chapman has warned the guards who are usually employed seasonally by the RNLI to keep beaches and coastlines safe will be forced to leave the profession to find work elsewhere because they ineligible for the furlough scheme.
Due to the seasonal nature of the role, they are also ineligible to claim for Universal Credit.
John Newman, senior lifeguard with RNLI Scotland, said: “With the majority of the contracts due to start on April 1 we are ineligible for the furlough scheme.
“We are concerned that once restrictions ease it will put additional pressure on an already stretched emergency service as we won’t be able to put out a full service as most of us especially the more senior/ experienced lifeguards are forced to find alternative employment as we tend to start earlier in the season.
“The RNLI fully support us, but they are a charity so they have to be careful with their funds during this time.”
Mr Chapman said: “Although we are currently in lockdown and we must all stay indoors, I know how much families across Fife enjoy a day out at one of our beautiful beaches along our coastlines.
“These spaces can be enjoyed by families due to the safe environment presented by the RNLI lifeguards and the vital work they do to keep us informed and educated.”
Mr Chapman is urging Chancellor Rishi Sunak to do more to protect lifeguards and allow those workers to be furloughed.
He said: “I will be writing to the Chancellor to urge him to include seasonal workers in his Job Retention Scheme.
“This issue also raises the importance of introducing a Universal Basic Income, which would ensure that no one fell through the cracks and was left behind by this pandemic.”
Responding to the concerns, a Government spokesman said people who aren’t eligible for the Job Retention Scheme may have access to other support including help with mortgage payments, eviction protection , and increases in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit.
The spokesman added that extending the cut-off date beyond March 20 would enable criminals to exploit the scheme by providing fraudulent payroll data that HMRC could not easily verify.
He said: “Our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is protecting thousands of jobs up and down the country, and has seen around 800,000 employers apply for help to pay the wages of more than million furloughed jobs.
“By extending the scheme from 28 February to 19 March, we have provided support for thousands of extra people, whilst keeping the significant fraud risks under control.”
