| answer text |
<p>The Department’s officials and I have been working closely with businesses across
the maritime sector, including shipping and port operators, to understand the impact
and challenges they face from the global COVID-19 crisis.</p><p>The Government has
announced an unprecedented package of financial measures to support businesses through
the COVID-19 pandemic, worth £350 billion. We are providing the sector with guidance
on how to access the government's business support schemes, including the Coronavirus
Job Retention Scheme.</p><p>On 24 April we announced a package of support to maintain
services on critical freight routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
between Great Britain and mainland Europe. The Government has also put together an
emergency support package for lifeline ferry services, with up to £10.5m being allocated
to safeguard vital transport links connecting the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly
to the British mainland.</p>
|
 |
