Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to protect the jobs of workers for P&O Ferries.

Whilst the crewing of ships is a commercial decision, the methods used by P&O Ferries in relation to the sacking of the crews of their vessels are intolerable. I am deeply concerned over reports that in moving against workers so rapidly, P&O Ferries may not have followed the correct and legal processes, and my Rt Hon Friend the Transport Secretary has therefore asked the Insolvency Service to look at the notification requirements and to consider if further action is appropriate.

The Transport Secretary has written to P&O Ferries to tell them to negotiate and engage with unions. We will work closely with counterparts in the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that workers are being signposted to the most relevant support and will continue to explore what other actions can be taken.