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1697559

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to help ensure greater job security for seafarers in the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	19637
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2024 answer text <p>In July 2023 we launched the Seafarers’ Charter, which among other measures requires that operators who obtain full Charter status do not use voyage contracts except in exceptional circumstances. This means that seafarers aboard ships run by a Charter operator can be confident that in most cases after their period of time aboard a vessel has ended, they will continue to have work without needing to reapply. I am pleased that 5 of the 6 major international ferry companies operating from the UK have now committed to meeting the Charter requirements.</p><p> </p><p>Examples of ‘exceptional circumstances’ might be if a seafarer has been taken ill and the operator needs to bring someone onboard at short notice to cover the position, or if a piece of machinery has broken and they brought an additional seafarer onboard to fix it while it the vessel was underway.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work to improve seafarer protections in the UK and around the world.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 28/03/2024 12:17:40 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1697561

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of shipping companies on the working conditions of seafarers.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	19639
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>Seafarer welfare is a priority for the Government and Ministers regularly discuss this with maritime stakeholders. Most recently, on 19 March Lord Davies met the Chief Executive of Brittany Ferries, one of the five major international ferry companies operating from the UK that has committed to working towards meeting the requirements of the Seafarer’s Charter.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 26/03/2024 10:41:04 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1695093

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government response to the Fifth Report of the Transport Committee of Session 2022–23 on Maritime 2050: objectives, implementation and effects, published on 24 May 2023, what progress he has made on negotiations with the Spanish Government on practices concerning conditions for seafarers on board third country flagged ships operating regular shipping routes between ports in Spain and the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Easington
	tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
	uin	17888
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2024 answer text <p>On 7 July 2023, the UK and Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding on conditions for seafarers aboard third-country flagged vessels in which we agreed to examine how we could cooperate and consider the impact of existing and new measures.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 14/03/2024 12:25:34 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1684124

	registered interest
	date	22/01/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made implementing the nine-point plan for seafarers published on 6 July 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
	tabling member printed	Gavin Newlands
	uin	10839
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2024 answer text <p>The Government has made substantial progress on implementing its Nine Point Plan for Seafarer Protections. The UK continues to play a leading global role in improving seafarer welfare.</p> answering member constituency Hexham answering member printed Guy Opperman question first answered 30/01/2024 16:43:39 answering member 4142 label Biography information for Guy Opperman
	tabling member	4420 label Biography information for Gavin Newlands

1625969

	registered interest
	date	05/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the number of seafarers working in the UK of the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates in order to continue working at sea after November 2023; what recent discussions he has had with organisations representing seafarers on the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates; what steps he is taking to support seafarers who will be required to obtain either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates; and what steps he is taking to raise awareness among seafarers.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	uin	183927
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2023 answer text <p>The main intended outcome, given that the risk level of commercial fishing in the UK is estimated to be 100 times greater than the general workforce, is to ensure that those in the industry are not likely, because of a medical condition, to put themselves in danger, or put others in danger in coming to rescue them.</p><p>The requirement for a medical certificate brings fishing into line with all other maritime sectors, and indeed other transport sectors, and all seafarers other than fishers have been required to hold a medical certificate for many years.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Transport is particularly mindful of those already working in the sector, and this is why we have put Grandfather Rights in place. No-one in the industry has yet been refused a ML5 medical fitness certificate by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) medical assessors.</p><p> </p><p>The MCA has extensively engaged with industry on this over many years, including through a public consultation. The MCA has written to those in the sector with information and published guidance on <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>, including a Q&amp;A addressing the most common concerns. The MCA has also been working with the Fishermen’s Mission to help deliver the message on quaysides, as well as through MCA surveyors.</p><p> </p><p>Any fisher concerned or uncertain about how to obtain a medical certificate can contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Medical Administration Team who can advise on the process to follow.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 11/05/2023 11:16:04 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1625970

	registered interest
	date	05/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates in order to continue working at sea after November 2023, what the cost implications will be for seafarers who are denied an ML5 medical certificate and appeal the decision.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	uin	183928
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2023 answer text <p>There is no cost to the seafarer to exercise their right to appeal against failure or restriction for an ENG1 certificate other than the cost of travel to the appointment with the referee if the review takes place face to face. There is no cost to the seafarer for referral for an ML5 certificate. The costs of appeal or referral are borne by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 11/05/2023 08:13:18 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1625971

	registered interest
	date	05/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the requirement for seafarers to have either ENG1 or ML5 medical certificates in order to continue working at sea after November 2023, what assessment he has made of whether it is appropriate to include questions relating to BMI in the application process seafarers must undertake in order to obtain a ML5 medical certificate.
	tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
	tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
	uin	183929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2023 answer text <p>The use of body mass index (BMI) is included in the International Labour Organization/International Maritime Organization’s Guidelines of the medical examinations of seafarers. Body mass index is a useful indicator of when additional assessment is needed. It does not form the sole basis for decisions on capability. There is no upper limit on BMI value for the assessor to issue a medical certificate and any restrictions or unfit decisions are usually based on other medical conditions and issues with physical capability rather than the BMI number itself.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 11/05/2023 08:15:07 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1612831

	registered interest
	date	20/04/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on implementing the Nine-point plan for seafarers published 6 July 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Watford
	tabling member printed	Dean Russell
	uin	182091
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2023 answer text <p>Since announcing the Nine Point Plan the Government has:</p><ul><li>Brought in the Seafarers’ Wages Act which will ensure that seafarers employed aboard ships regularly operating from UK ports will be paid at least an equivalent to the National Minimum Wage in UK waters.</li><li>Worked with industry and unions to develop the Seafarers’ Charter, which will encourage and recognise ferry operators taking extra steps to provide good working conditions.</li><li>Published a consultation on a draft Code of Practice on Fire and Rehire, the responses to which are now being considered by the Department for Business and Trade.</li><li>Supported amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention to improve access to food and drinking water and appropriately sized PPE, and led development of guidance to support seafarers who face abandonment.</li><li>Commissioned research into seafarer fatigue to give us more robust evidence about the impact of roster patterns.</li><li>Commissioned research into improving internet connectivity for seafarers, as connectivity to shore and communication with friends and family is important for those at sea.</li></ul><p>Seafarer welfare is inextricably linked to international maritime law and regulation. As such it must be addressed with international partners and through international fora. The UK will continue to lead the way in seafarer welfare and will not shy away from its role as an international leader in championing this important cause.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 27/04/2023 09:05:08 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4812 label Biography information for Dean Russell

1606475

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy introduce to a mandatory seafarers welfare charter.
	tabling member constituency	Jarrow
	tabling member printed	Kate Osborne
	uin	171572
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/03/2023 answer text <p>The Seafarers’ Charter will initially launch on a voluntary basis. We continue to explore options to further enhance seafarer welfare and keep the need for further legislation under review.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 29/03/2023 08:08:49 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4783 label Biography information for Kate Osborne

1599639

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Shipping: Conditions of Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with maritime trade unions on the employment conditions of (a) non-European and (b) European seafarers on MS Finnpulp.
	tabling member constituency	Middlesbrough
	tabling member printed	Andy McDonald
	uin	153786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2023 answer text <p>Ministers have regular engagement with the maritime trade unions but have not discussed the employment conditions on MS Finnpulp.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 02/03/2023 10:27:05 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4269 label Biography information for Andy McDonald