Chairs’ comments

The Chairs issued this comment:

“This session will aim to understand the detail of the options available to the 800 workers who were roundly dismissed by P&O Ferries last week. The cruel nature of their dismissal put employment practices and UK plc under the microscope.

From P&O Ferries, our members want to know why this action has been taken and how it can be justified. From the Government and its agencies, we want confirmation that our laws are not being broken and safety is not being compromised on our ships.

This shocking story has raised questions about UK employment law, safety practices, the support of this business through a pandemic and the redress available. We intend to hear from the key players about what they are going to do that means these workers are not left high and dry.”

• Peter Hebblethwaite, Chief Executive, P&O Ferries
• Jesper Kristensen, Group COO, Maritime Services, DP World

• Robert Courts MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport
• Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy

• Dean Beale, Chief Executive Officer, The Insolvency Service
• Brian Johnson, Chief Executive, Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Katy Ware, Director, UK Maritime Services