Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

P&O Ferries: Discussions with DP World

Thursday 20 April 2023 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has worked on the Seafarers' Wages Act to address issues raised regarding P&O Ferries.
  • Steps taken include discussions with the French Government to improve conditions for seafarers.
  • Work on a seafarers' charter continues, though no specific details are available at present.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Employment Business Compliance
Context

DP World, the parent company of P&O Ferries, saw a £1.5 billion profit last year but sacked 786 seafarers and replaced them with cheaper agency workers. The workforce now faces additional redundancies.

Question

DP World, the shamed parent company of P&O Ferries, saw its profits soar to £1.5 billion last year and paid out a massive dividend after sacking 786 seafarers and replacing them with cheaper agency crew. The P&O workforce now face 60 more redundancies. When will this compromised Government start working with trade unions such as the RMT and prioritise the jobs and rights of seafarers and port workers in the UK over the merciless profiteering of DP World?

Answer from Richard Holden

I disagree. When I took the Seafarers' Wages Bill through this House, I ensured that the Government made a number of concessions in this space. The Secretary of State has recently discussed with the French Government further options to work together to improve conditions for seafarers working on cross-channel routes between England and France.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about prioritising workers' rights was not directly addressed, focusing instead on government actions like the Seafarers' Wages Bill and discussions with other governments.

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Employment Business Compliance
Context

P&O Ferries management has treated Dover and its workforce disgracefully, with recent redundancies despite profit-making.

Question

Dover is the headquarters and home of P&O Ferries, but the management of P&O Ferries and DP World have treated Dover and its workforce absolutely disgracefully. Will the Minister outline the steps that this Conservative Government are taking to improve conditions for seafarers and hold P&O Ferries and DP World to account?

Answer from Richard Holden

I thank my hon. Friend for all her work on the frontline in Dover. She has done a huge amount to raise the profile of the issue and to stand up for her constituents and for workers in Dover. She will know of the work on the Seafarers' Wages Act, which was largely brought forward with her support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about accountability measures was not directly addressed, focusing instead on acknowledging the MP's efforts and mentioning the Seafarers' Wages Act.

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Q3 Natalie Elphicke
Employment Business Compliance
Context

The government's nine-point plan includes no action against company leaders who break the law or for 'fire and rehire' practices. P&O Ferries has made more redundancies despite a £1.6 billion profit.

Question

If we want to champion seafarers' welfare, where is the seafarers' charter? We have been waiting for it forever. Earlier this month, disgraced P&O made another 60 people redundant, despite recording a £1.6 billion profit. Can the Minister explain how on earth Peter Hebblethwaite has still faced no sanction in over a year?

Answer from Richard Holden

As the hon. Member knows, we have worked together on the Seafarers' Wages Act to tackle exactly the issues that he has raised. With regard to Mr Hebblethwaite, civil action is still being considered and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about sanctions was partially addressed but without a timeline or concrete measures, focusing instead on ongoing consideration of civil action.

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Q4 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Employment
Context

The Government's nine-point plan lacks action on fire and rehire practices, taking action against company leaders who break the law, improving long-term working conditions of seafarers, and encouraging more ships to operate under the UK flag.

Question

The Seafarers' Wages Act remains a real missed opportunity. Let us look at points six to nine of the Government's nine-point plan: Developing a statutory code for 'fire and rehire' practices? Nope. Taking action against company leaders who break the law? Nope. Improving the long-term working conditions of seafarers? Nope. As the hon. Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East (Mike Kane) asked, where is the seafarers' charter? Encouraging more ships to operate under the UK flag? Nope. The figures went down by another 3% last year and are down by 30% since the Tories came to power. Other than the utterly anaemic Seafarers' Wages Act, what have the Tories ever done for seafarers?

Answer from Richard Holden

When SNP Members start talking about ferries, we can tell that they think they are on to a good one. It is interesting that they have not raised the subject of motor homes today instead. Work on the seafarers' charter continues as we speak, and I will update the House as soon as more information is available.

Not addressed: The specific ask about fire and rehire practices and long-term conditions was not addressed, with a deflection towards motor homes instead of addressing seafarers' issues.

How: Deflecting To Unrelated Topic

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Q5 Gavin Newlands SNP
Employment Transport
Context

The Seafarers' Wages Act received Royal Assent on 23 March, aiming to protect seafarers from being paid less than the national minimum wage.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with DP World on the treatment of workers at P&O Ferries.

Answer from Richard Holden

Our Seafarers' Wages Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 23 March and will protect seafarers who are working on vessels that operate regular international services to and from the UK from being paid less than the national minimum wage. It will boost the pay of thousands of seafarers who work tirelessly to maintain supply chains and transport passengers safely across our waters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about recent discussions was not directly addressed, focusing instead on the Seafarers' Wages Act.

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