Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to support (a) people in the merchant navy and (b) other seafarers.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 14 April to UIN 33210 (http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=33210). In addition, this Government is a signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (ratification by the UK in August 2013, enforcement August 2014).
This convention is widely referred to as the seafarer’s ‘Bill of rights’ and offers comprehensive protection worldwide, with robust enforcement measures in place, for all those employed at sea. Issues covered include fair terms and conditions of employment, as well as access to adequate food, rest periods, recreational facilities and medical care.
Domestically my department is in close contact at official level with colleagues in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) who are currently in the process, in full consultation with social partners and industry, of updating National Minimum Wage guidelines for seafarers. This amended guidance is on target to be published in late spring 2016.
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has for the future role of the merchant navy.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government appreciates the role played by the merchant navy and recognises the need for an adequate supply of UK maritime expertise to meet the nation’s economic and strategic requirements. This includes the demand for experienced seafarers in the shore-based maritime services sector.
The Department continues to provide support for the training of officers and ratings through the £15m Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme.
Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s drive to give people of all ages the skills employers need to grow and compete. Maritime is a key part of this with the Maritime Trailblazer which is employer led and has one approved standard for deck ratings and a further three in development for maritime mechanic, maritime caterer and onboard services.
The Maritime Growth Study, chaired by Lord Mountevans and published on 7 September 2015, recognised the need for more proactive action to replenish and develop the skills needed to maintain the UK position as a world-leading maritime centre. The Government has accepted the recommendations. We have already let a research contract to Oxford Economics to establish the requirement for trained seafarers in the UK. This will assist both government and industry to plan ahead and to make efforts to address priority shortages where gaps are identified. We are also working to address the other skills recommendations including conducting a review of SMarT funding, better links into schools teaching and enlarging the awareness programme to encourage entry into the merchant navy.
Asked by: Ronnie Cowan (Scottish National Party - Inverclyde)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is taking to encourage people to join the merchant navy.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has no direct control over recruitment into the merchant navy.
The MCA works with strategic partners such as the Chamber of Shipping, Nautilus, the RMT and organisations such as the British Tugowners Association and National Workboat Association to encourage economic growth, including the employment of seafarers.
The MCA also manages the Government’s Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme that subsidises seafarer training by £15M annually. More than 700 new officer trainees started last year. The MCA is also involved with industry in supporting the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills apprenticeships for seafarers.