Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his the Prime Minister’s comments on BBC Newscast on 12 October 2024, when did the Government's view on P&O change.

The Government has been working at pace to fulfil the commitments we made in opposition to improve workers’ rights at sea. The Employment Rights Bill includes a measure to close a loophole by ensuring that the UK Government is notified of intended redundancies irrespective of a vessel’s flag state.

We will also, via amendment during the bill’s passage, introduce powers to allow the UK to strengthen workers’ rights at sea and implement international conventions relating to seafarer employment. We have now laid regulations to implement the Seafarers’ Wages Act so that from next month the National Minimum Wage equivalent will be paid.