Condor Ferries: Employment

(asked on 1st June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to hold discussions with Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Brittany Ferries on seafarers employed by Condor Ferries on lifeline ferry routes from Portsmouth and Poole to the Channel Islands.


Answered by
Kelly Tolhurst Portrait
Kelly Tolhurst
This question was answered on 9th June 2020

The government has announced an unprecedented package of financial measures to support businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic, worth £350 billion. This includes supporting both employers and employees via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), by paying furloughed staff 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500. To access the CJRS, a company must have a UK bank account and have started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020. My officials have previously engaged with Condor Ferries and expressed these requirements to them. We have continued to offer our support to them during this difficult time.

My officials and I have also been working closely with businesses across the maritime sector to understand how these measures can be applied and will continue to do so. The Department recognises the important role Condor Ferries provides to the region and local communities and are also working with the Ports to ensure that the areas remain well connected during this period. We recognise the vital contribution that seafarers make to the UK’s economy and remain committed to supporting them.

The Channel Island governments have also launched a similar scheme as well as other financial measures to support local businesses. Those staff members that are employed and paid through the Channel Islands would be subject to the terms and conditions governing those particular schemes and be a matter for the Channel Island governments.

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