Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific assistance they intend to provide to ferry industries to (1) ensure there is a sustainable ferry industry in the longer-term, and (2) safeguard security of supply of medicines, foods and other vital imported goods during the current COVID-19 pandemic. [T]

The Government is engaging regularly with the maritime sector, including on issues related to its long-term recovery. To support companies through these challenging times the Government announced an unprecedent package of financial measures worth £350 billion. As part of that, a full range of support schemes has been made available to UK businesses and my department is working closely with maritime operators to consider how these measures can apply to them.

In addition, on 24 April we announced a package of funding to support lifeline services and critical freight routes. This includes up to £10.5m for lifeline services to the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight, up to £17m for critical freight routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and support for up to 26 critical freight routes between Great Britain and mainland Europe.

We will continue to work closely with industry to monitor the implementation of these measures to continue these vital services.