Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Seafarers: Furlough Scheme

Thursday 17 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has no appropriate statistical breakdown of UK seafarers affected by the end of the furlough scheme.
  • The job retention scheme has supported businesses across the maritime industry, including port constituencies.
  • The Minister encourages firms to implement their own job retention schemes to reduce redundancies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Employment
Context

The UK government's furlough schemes are ending, and there is concern about the impact on maritime industries in port constituencies such as east Hull.

Question

What estimate has been made of the number of UK seafarers who will be directly affected by the end of the Government's furlough schemes?

Answer from Robert Courts

There is no appropriate statistical breakdown. The Government's focus is to support the sector's recovery and to stimulate jobs and growth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Provided general statement on government's focus without specific estimate of affected seafarers.

How: General Statement

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The UK government's furlough schemes are ending, and there is concern about the impact on maritime industries in port constituencies such as east Hull.

Question

The job retention scheme has clearly helped businesses right across our economy, including in the maritime industries of port constituencies such as mine in east Hull, but when it is clear that the shipping and ferry sectors may take years to recover, the Chancellor is casting jobs in east Hull adrift by ending the furlough scheme, with no replacement and no plan. What action is the Minister taking to ensure that British seafarers, who have kept this country afloat throughout the pandemic, do not bear the brunt of that short-sighted decision? Will he please assure me that the UK will retain the maritime skills base that is vital for our future?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Gentleman makes a number of excellent points. I am encouraged to see that some firms such as P&O have offered their own job retention schemes with a view to reducing any redundancies that have been announced. More broadly, I will work with all aspects of the sector to hear their views and to see how the Department may be able to help. Maritime 2050, which I will look at with fresh eyes, gives a good opportunity to see what policy objectives may be possible in the future, but I assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that it remains a long-term policy of the Government to grow the number of UK seafarers and to support the sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or assurances about retaining maritime skills base, offered general plans instead.

How: General Statement, Future Policy Consideration

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email