Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support customers affected by (a) cancellations and (b) safety concerns in the context of dismissals of employees by P&O Ferries.

P&O Ferries customers are fully protected when a sailing is cancelled by regulation EU1177/2010 that has been adopted into UK law under the EU Exit Regulations of 2019. Refunds must be made within seven days. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) enforce these regulations within the UK. Other operators continue to sail across Channel routes, so passengers and goods are flowing.

The MCA surveyors continue to carry out port state control inspections on P&O Ferries vessels prior to them commencing passenger services. This is to ensure crew safety and training, and that all vessels’ safety requirements are met.