Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding from the public purse P&O Ferries has received to support (a) UK seafarer employment and (b) maritime supply chains during the covid-19 outbreak to date.

On 24 April Government committed to keeping freight flowing on routes into and across the UK. Following engagement with operators, DfT has awarded contracts for 16 routes with 6 operators, worth an estimated £34m over 2 months. The Department for Transport will publish regular updates on this support.

In addition, and to support maritime businesses and seafarer jobs, which have been impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19, the Government has made available unprecedented financial support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Any employer with a UK bank account and PAYE scheme is eligible for a grant to cover 80% of the wages of its employees, up to £2500 per month.

These measures are helping to ensure vital routes remain open for all companies, including P&O Ferries.