Ed Humpherson to Virginia McVea: Coastguard Rescue Officers Surveys 

Published:

Sent from: Office for Statistics Regulation

Sent to: Maritime and Coastguard Agency

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Dear Virginia, 

Coastguard Rescue Officers Surveys

I am writing as Head of the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) to follow up on my previous letter to you, dated 14 July.

In my letter, I outlined our concerns about a statistic reported to have been quoted to MPs in a 24 June meeting. Specifically, you were reported to have shared a statistic from a survey done by MCA, to illustrate support levels for a proposed volunteer model among coastguard rescue officers (CROs). As this survey was not in the public domain, we strongly recommended that MCA published the statistics and survey in question as soon as possible, along with information to support users’ understanding of how the statistics were produced.

Following my letter, we have corresponded with teams at MCA and the Department for Transport (DfT). I would like to offer my appreciation for the constructive and open manner in which these teams have engaged with my colleagues.

Through our correspondence with these teams, our understanding is:

  • MCA is committed to publishing data and results from two surveys of CROs that it has conducted, along with supporting methodological information and explanatory context. Publication is intended to occur shortly after the current conference recess.
  • Neither of the surveys asked CROs directly about their support for the proposed volunteer model, so do not provide evidence relating to the reported claims.
  • MCA has been unable to provide any further evidence to underpin the reported claims.

We remain consistent in our view that MCA publishing relevant content from the two surveys that are available, along with supporting information, will be a significant step towards transparency, and will support further, well-informed public debate. We welcome your stated intention to publish this information and continue to recommend that this is done as soon as possible. We also advise you to be open and transparent about the fact that there is currently no evidence to support the previously reported claims.

We do not intend to take further actions regarding this issue at present, but would like to request that MCA informs us when the information has been published.

My team and I would be happy to discuss any of the points raised in this letter.

I am copying this letter to Gemma Brand, Head of Profession for Statistics at DfT, Ian Mulheirn, Chief Analyst and Chief Economist at DfT, and the MCA and DfT teams we have spoken with during our investigation.

Yours sincerely,


Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR