Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will take steps to ensure that shipping companies cannot deduct the costs for onboard accommodation from seafarers’ wages; and whether she has had recent discussions with the Department for Transport on that matter.

Department for Business and Trade officials are working closely with the Department for Transport on their Seafarers Wages Bill, these discussions include accommodation provisions and the deduction of costs for seafarers.

The Low Pay Commission recently recommended that seafarers be exempt from accommodation offset while on-board ships, the Government is considering this and will respond in due course.