RNLI axes 100 jobs... as it buys burkinis
THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution came under fire yesterday for spending millions on projects in foreign countries – including buying ‘burkinis’ for Muslim women in Africa – while slashing more than 100 UK jobs.
Donations are being spent on the swimsuits for women in Tanzania to take life-saving lessons, and on funding creches in Bangladesh.
The RNLI claims such efforts help prevent drownings overseas.
But the charity’s £189,000-a-year chief executive, Mark Dowie, warned last week that it is ‘facing some major challenges’ after making a loss of £6.3million last year, and announcing 135 job cuts.
Demand for the RNLI’s services is at record levels, with its lifeboats
‘We wish to help save lives across the world’
launched 8,964 times in the UK and Ireland last year. But the charity intends to increase its annual spend on foreign projects by £400,000 this year, taking overseas spending from £1.13million to £3.3million over the past five years.
Tory MP Nigel Evans, who sits on the Commons International Development Committee, said: ‘The fact the RNLI are cutting staff in the UK but boosting spending on these international projects begs the question of what the priority of the organisation is. They are risking the reputation of the charity.
‘I would say 99 per cent of the British public giving money to them have not the faintest idea it’s diverted to projects overseas.’
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told The Times: ‘It is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, not the Royal International Lifeboat Institution.’ The RNLI, founded in 1824, has been accused of becoming obsessed with political correctness, leading to resignations among volunteers.
The entire crew at St Helier, Jersey, resigned after the coxswain was sacked following a dispute over a launch. In Arbroath, Angus, the coxswain was sacked after failing to prevent a prank in which a crewman bared his buttocks.
Two crewmen from Whitby, North Yorkshire, were dismissed last summer after tea mugs were found decorated with ‘inappropriate material of a sexual nature’.
The charity also came under fire for seeking a £42,000-a-year ‘safeguarding officer’ to promote ‘health, safety and well-being’.
The RNLI said 2 per cent of its income went on overseas projects.
Projects send trainers to teach swimming in areas with high drowning rates. Work includes giving out burkinis – costumes with a head covering, long-sleeved tunic and trousers to protect the modesty of Muslim women.
Free creche places in Bangladesh stop children playing by rivers and reduces risk of drowning by 82 per cent, the charity added.
Mr Dowie said: ‘Providing the very best service in the UK and Ireland remains our priority but we also wish to use our expertise, knowledge and influence to help others save lives across the world.’