Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken to implement the Nine-point plan for seafarers, published on 6 July 2022.

Delivery of the nine-point plan continues at pace. A key aspect of this has been the development of the Seafarers’ Wages Bill, which progressed to Third Reading in the House of Lords on 07 November 2022. The Bill will now progress into the House of Commons, marking a major step towards ensuring that seafarers with close ties to the UK are paid at a rate at least equivalent to the UK National Minimum Wage.

We are continuing with delivery of the wider nine-point plan, including engagement with our near European neighbours to explore the creation of minimum wage equivalent corridors, as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare.