Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's guidance on Category 1 goods that can be transported on government-secured freight capacity contracts, updated on 1 February 2021, what estimate he has made of the (a) volume of freight moved and (b) number of sailings to date under each contract with operators in the Irish Sea.

There has been minimal disruption to the flow of freight and Category 1 goods following the end of the transition period. Volumes have been relatively low compared to the same period in previous years, although some hauliers continue to arrive at ports without the necessary COVID-19 and customs paperwork. We continue to monitor for potential disruption that may affect the flow of essential Category 1 goods.

Government secured freight capacity is provided by four ferry operators (Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena Line) across 9 routes, operating from 8 ports (Poole, Portsmouth, Newhaven, Felixstowe, Harwich, Tilbury, Teesport, Hull) to mainland Europe. There is no GSFC secured between England and the island of Ireland. Hauliers carrying Category 1 Goods who wish to use the land bridge to reach Ireland are still eligible to access GSFC to enter England from mainland Europe.