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P&O Ferries Redundancies
28 March 2023
Lead MP
Ian Lavery
Blyth and Ashington
Lab
Responding Minister
Kevin Hollinrake
Tags
EmploymentBusiness & TradeWomen & Equalities
Word Count: 4116
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Ian Lavery raised concerns about p&o ferries redundancies in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Asks the Minister why no action has been taken against P&O for their actions on 17 March 2022, to make the seafarers' charter a mandatory requirement, give trade unions a formal role in assessing compliance with standards in the charter, and reform the Insolvency Service to include public interest tests. Also asks about DP World's liabilities to the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Concerned about the redundancies at P&O Ferries where staff were dismissed without prior warning or consultation. The CEO admitted to breaking the law but remains in position, and no action has been taken against P&O for their actions on 17 March 2022. Worried about the Government's failure to penalize P&O Ferries and DP World, and the lack of protection for seafarers from nationality-based pay discrimination. The Seafarers' Wages Act is seen as insufficient and not effective until next year.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Critiqued P&O Ferries' decision to break the law by not consulting unions, replacing workers with agency staff on low pay. Felt the government's response was insufficient, leading to a race to the bottom for UK maritime workforce.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commemorates the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate, highlighting the importance of addressing employment legislation loopholes and ensuring decent treatment of workers.
Mossley and Saddleworth
Expressed concern about agency crews working unsafe roster patterns, being at sea for up to 17 weeks.
Government Response
Kevin Hollinrake
Government Response
It is a pleasure to speak with you in the Chair, Sir Gary. I thank the hon. Member for Wansbeck for bringing forward this important debate. The minister agrees that P&O Ferries' actions were disgraceful and runs contrary to UK legislation. While the Government has taken some action already, such as writing to P&O asking it to reverse its decision and initiating an investigation by the Insolvency Service, there is still a chance of a 15-year ban on a director if sufficient grounds are found. The minister notes that new guidelines from ACAS in 2021 stipulate that fire-and-rehire tactics should only be used as a last resort. Currently, there is a statutory code of practice with a 12-week consultation period, and the principle behind this is that there is a 25% compensation uplift in employment tribunals if consultation requirements are not adhered to. The minister acknowledges the need for further action and will keep the issue under review. He also highlights the importance of celebrating good employers while clamping down on bad ones.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.