Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support the Government is providing to the British cruise ship industry during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Department have been working in close partnership with the British cruise industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to have regular discussions on a wide range of operational and other challenges.

The British Cruise industry, as with all parts of the economy, has been able to apply for, and access, the full range of the HMG business support measures.

I am eager to see a swift return to operations as soon as it is safe to do so. I have been working in collaboration across government, with the cruise industry, to review and enhance protocols to ensure a COVID-19 safe environment. These collective efforts will, I hope, allow the safe resumption of cruise operations in due course, and I support them in their efforts to rebuild public confidence.