Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold urgent talks with representatives of P&O Ferries to (a) reverse its decision to dismiss 800 British workers and (b) seek the return of furlough payments made to its parent company.

We have already written to P&O expressing our anger and disappointment clearly and unequivocally and telling them in no uncertain terms to reconsider this decision and to treat their workers fairly, as required by law. The ministerial team has already met with P&O company chiefs to reiterate and reinforce this message and are continuing to explore all options.

Where we have made payments for services that P&O Ferries have delivered, we cannot claw back funds, but we are examining all contracts with DP World.

Our priority is to provide support to the 800 workers who have lost their jobs and to help protect the 1400 seafarers still employed by P&O Ferries who are keeping goods coming into the country.