Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the financial security of Gosport ferry.

The Government has announced an unprecedented package of financial measures to support businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, worth £350 billion. This includes providing local authorities with a total of £3.2bn to support the COVID-19 response to the pandemic at the local level. These wide-ranging measures are providing support for businesses of all sizes.

The Department’s officials and I have been working closely with operators across the maritime sector, including Gosport Ferry Company, to understand how these measures can be applied. The Department recognises the important role the Ferry provides to the region, alongside other transport options that are available to access Portsmouth from Gosport and vice versa, ensuring that the South-East region remains well connected during this period.