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Mountain Rescue — [Emma Lewell in the Chair]
22 April 2026
Lead MP
Lisa Smart
Hazel Grove
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Lilian Greenwood
Tags
NHSTaxationBenefits & WelfareMental Health
Word Count: 13512
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Lisa Smart raised concerns about mountain rescue — [emma lewell in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Liberal Democrats support providing the same status for search and rescue volunteers as Army reservists and special constables, including paid leave from employers for training and recompense for loss of earnings during call-outs. Additionally, they seek Crown indemnity insurance cover, a dedicated Minister to engage with volunteer search and rescue groups, and a VAT exemption on vehicles.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mountain rescue teams in England and Wales provide lifesaving services but receive no direct Government funding, relying on donations. In 2024, these teams responded to almost 4,000 call-outs, a 24% increase from 2019, with over 3,000 volunteers donating more than 167,000 hours of their time. The current situation is unsustainable and poses risks to volunteer wellbeing.
Ben Maguire
Lib Dem
North Cornwall
Ben Maguire endorsed Chris Kane's concerns about the [3D [K the potential financial burden and administrative requirements facing mount [5D [K mountain rescue teams due to CQC registration. He warned that these issues [K could cause many volunteers to stop their service, leading to a significant [11D [K significant gap in public safety.
Chris Kane
Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
Chris Kane highlighted the critical role of mountain [8D [K mountain rescue teams in Stirling and Strathallan, emphasizing their medica [6D [K medical training and unique ability to respond in difficult terrains. He ex [2D [K expressed concerns over new bureaucratic requirements and financial liabili [7D [K liabilities imposed on volunteer teams, which could lead them to step back [K from providing event cover. This, in turn, affects public safety and fundra [6D [K fundraising efforts for the teams.
Freddie Van Mierlo
Lib Dem
Henley and Thame
He highlighted the importance of lowland rescue as a [1D [K a counterpart to mountain rescue, acknowledging its role in saving vulnerab [8D [K vulnerable individuals in hazardous waterways and rural areas. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that additional bene [4D [K benefits would be useful for mountain rescue teams, and I also believe they [4D [K they should be extended to lowland rescue.
Helen Maguire
Lib Dem
Epsom and Ewell
She raised concerns that rescue cover is not exempt [K from funding cuts, which will impact event coverage for outdoor enthusiasts [11D [K enthusiasts such as fell races and mountain biking events.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
That sounds like progress in the right direction, bu [2D [K but can the Minister address the absolute cost of registration, which we ha [2D [K have assessed as being between £10,000 and £20,000 per organisation? How wi [2D [K will that be reduced by the Government's actions?
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted the dedication of mountain r [1D [K rescue teams in Northern Ireland, noting their reliance on public donations [9D [K donations and the lack of direct funding. He mentioned that despite the Dep [3D [K Department of Justice providing roughly £100,000 to nine search and rescue [K groups, it is insufficient compared to the cost of a new base for the Mourn [5D [K Mourne mountains which exceeds £1 million. Shannon requested a dedicated, r [1D [K ringfenced portion of Barnett-derived funding specifically allocated to Nor [3D [K Northern Ireland search and rescue. First of all, I thank the Minister for those suggest [7D [K suggestions and for the direct help from Government. I know that this is no [2D [K not in the Minister's remit, but I ask her to ringfence the moneys being se [2D [K sent to Northern Ireland in Barnett consequentials, because if they are rin [3D [K ringfenced, they go to where they should be.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
She thanked the hon. Member for mentioning Owain Lle [3D [K Llewellyn of North Wales Police, expressing concern about the challenges fa [2D [K faced by emergency services due to increased tourism pressure.
Olly Glover
Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
Olly Glover praised the work of mountain rescue team [4D [K teams, highlighting their importance in ensuring safety for outdoor enthusi [7D [K enthusiasts. He mentioned his personal experience needing mountain rescue a [1D [K assistance during a hiking accident in Italy. Glover also spoke about the v [1D [K valuable services provided by Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire and noted that mou [3D [K mountain rescue teams are increasingly relied upon due to climate change-in [9D [K change-induced severe weather events. He pointed out the lack of adequate f [1D [K funding compared to other emergency services, emphasizing the need for more [4D [K more direct government support similar to what Scotland provides. Additiona [9D [K Additionally, he raised concerns over new regulations potentially impacting [9D [K impacting mountain rescue's ability to provide cover at small sporting even [4D [K events in remote areas.
Phil Brickell
Lab
Bolton West
Phil Brickell highlighted the importance of mountain [8D [K mountain rescue teams, noting their essential role in rescuing people from [K difficult situations. He mentioned that these volunteers often face financi [7D [K financial burdens due to vehicle and equipment costs, which are covered by [K donations. Brickell welcomed the exemption of mountain rescue vehicles from [4D [K from vehicle excise duty but expressed concerns about new healthcare standa [6D [K standards potentially burdening teams with additional administrative requir [6D [K requirements. Additionally, he suggested extending Crown indemnity or a sim [3D [K similar insurance arrangement to cover public liability and other costs for [3D [K for mountain rescue teams, reducing their financial strain. He also raised [K issues related to rehabilitation support for volunteers facing physical and [3D [K and mental health risks from dangerous rescues.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the many [K hundreds and thousands of volunteers up and down this country, some of whom [4D [K whom I will be meeting again this weekend on Sunday as I join them on a tra [3D [K training exercise in Warwickshire.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
I have participated in the Allendale challenge to ra [2D [K raise money for the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team. I thank all volunte [7D [K volunteers who get involved, wherever they are in the country. The hon. Mem [3D [K Member's speech highlights the need for the Government to recognise and sup [3D [K support the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by these volunteer [9D [K volunteers.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry
Lib Dem
East Devon
She acknowledged the growing popularity of outdoor a [1D [K activities and the increasing pressure it places on mountain rescue teams. [K She supported the need for sustainable funding and better recognition of vo [2D [K volunteer efforts.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Pays tribute to mountain rescue teams in Cumbria, hi [2D [K highlighting the significant increase in call-outs due to inexperienced vis [3D [K visitors. Raises concern over proposed CQC registration costs which could f [1D [K financially cripple volunteer-led mountain rescue teams. Urges for a propor [6D [K proportionate, risk-based exemption and advocates for a dedicated Minister [K responsible for search and rescue provision.
Will Stone
Lab
Swindon North
He suggested integrating more drone technology to su [2D [K support mountain rescue operations, praising the work of Flyby Technology i [1D [K in this area.
Government Response
Lilian Greenwood
Government Response
Responded on behalf of the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, thanked Members for contributions about mountain rescue, acknowledged concerns about regulatory changes, and provided reassurances regarding consultation processes. Highlighted ongoing work through UK Search and Rescue (UKSAR), including vehicle excise duty exemptions and VAT rebates. Emphasised the importance of mental health support for volunteers and praised their commitment despite challenging conditions. Addressed specific questions raised by MPs and reiterated Government support.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.