London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

P&O Ferries given ultimatum as firm's owner posts record profit

P&O Ferries given ultimatum as firm's owner posts record profit

The company's decision to fire 786 crew members without notice earlier this year and replace them with much cheaper agency workers on below minimum wage sparked widespread outrage.

P&O Ferries will have "no choice in law" but to pay crew members minimum wage the transport secretary has warned after the firm's owner reported record profits following a controversial mass sacking.

Issuing the ultimatum, Grant Shapps said the company will be forced to back down and so should make the change now.

He also repeated his demand for the P&O boss Peter Hebblethwaite to quit.

The firm's decision to fire 786 crew members without notice earlier this year and replace them with much cheaper agency workers sparked outrage.

Mr Hebblethwaite subsequently admitted to MPs the firm broke the law by not consulting on the move, because no union would have accepted it proposals.

The executive, whose basic annual salary is £325,000, also said the average pay of the agency crew was £5.50 per hour.

While this was below the UK's national minimum wage of £9.50 per hour, he insisted this was permitted under international maritime laws.

There was fresh condemnation this week as the Dubai-based owner of the ferry operator, DP World, said it had made a profit of $£884m (£736m) over the six months to the end of June.

Responding, Mr Shapps said: "I think their boss, the CEO needs to resign. He's still under investigation, which is absolutely right over the way that he behaved."

He pointed to legislation currently going through Parliament which aimed to ensure that seafarers on vessels regularly using British ports are paid minimum wage.

Those failing to comply face being fined or barred access.

Mr Shapps said: "P&O are going to have overturn what they have done here. They will have no choice in law very shortly.

"They should recognise that and make that change now."

DP World also faced criticism from unions after reporting its bumper returns.

Frances O'Grady, the secretary general of the Trades Union Congress, said: "These eye-watering profits have come off the back of P&O illegally sacking hundreds of dedicated staff.

"They are an insult to common decency."

P&O Ferries declined to comment.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×