Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact P&O Ferries' mass dismissal of UK resident seafarers on 17 March 2022 on the maritime apprenticeship policies set out in the Maritime 2050 Strategy.

The Department is aware there are seven apprentices who are in training with P&O Ferries, and we understand that their positions are not at risk. The Department continues to work with the Merchant Navy Training Board to keep the situation under review. Our overarching priority is the protection and welfare of all seafarers.

The 9 point plan the Secretary of State announced on 30 March outlines the steps we are taking to protect seafarer protections and welfare.