Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the decision by P&O to dismiss 800 employees and replace them with sub-minimum wage agency workers, what steps his Department will take to uphold employment standards for seafaring workers.

P&O Ferries made 800 seafarers redundant on Thursday 17 March without consultation.

The Secretary of State made a statement in Parliament on the 30 March to announce a package of measures to ensure employment standards for seafarers are upheld, and wider seafarer welfare and health and safety is addressed. Measures include improving the long-term working conditions for seafarers, including working through international organisations.

We are committed to seafarer protections and welfare and this is being taken forward as part of our nine-point plan.