Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to withdraw P&O contracts for freeports following its decision to terminate the employment of 800 staff members.

The Business Secretary wrote to the Insolvency Service on 23 March asking them to urgently undertake a thorough enquiry into the actions of P&O Ferries. Following this review the Insolvency Service confirmed on 1st April they have initiated both formal criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding the recent redundancies made by P&O Ferries.

On 28 March 2022 DP World resigned from the Solent Freeport Board and are no longer a partner in the Freeport consortium.

The Government is continuing to work to understand whether DP World or P&O Ferrymasters are in breach of any of the requirements on them as investors in the Thames Freeport.