Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the activities of P&O in 2022, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to prevent companies making workers immediately redundant.

The government is consulting on a draft Statutory Code of Practice on dismissal and re-engagement that will deter employers from misusing controversial tactics and failing to engage in meaningful consultations with employees and their representatives.

There are already clear rules in place around notification and consultation which employers must follow when making 20 or more employees redundant. Most companies, when facing up to these difficult decisions, do the right thing and follow these rules.

Of course there will always be some that do not, and I agree it is important that our framework adequately deals with this.

A civil investigation into P&O Ferries' actions by the Insolvency Service is of course ongoing. When this is complete, I will look at any findings closely and consider whether any change to the law is required.