Select committee: Transport Committee

Conclusion 30

Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Published 20 Mar 2023 Paragraph 165 Addressed to Department for Transport
Conclusion (the committee's words)
We commend the work that the Government has done regarding the welfare of seafarers during the pandemic. Their recognition of seafarers as key workers is important. This is an essential step in ensuring that seafarers have both the recognition and support that they deserve.

From: Transport Committee, Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 (HC 160), paragraph 165, 20 March 2023

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 20 June 2023 (deadline 20 May 2023).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government agrees with some of the Committee's recommendations, partially agrees with others, notes several, and disagrees with the one on the role of ports.

  • On decarbonisation, the government agrees and says it "will publish the updated Clean Maritime Plan by the end of 2023", including indicative targets for the domestic maritime sector.
  • On UK SHORE, it agrees but is "unable to commit to public long-term funding"; further investment beyond March 2025 "is dependent on future budget decisions".
  • On maritime autonomy legislation, it partially agrees: reforms are necessary but "we cannot legislate for them during the current parliamentary session due to competing priorities". It says its response to the Future of Transport review will be published "in the coming weeks".
  • It disagrees with the recommendation on the role of ports, stating that it "fully understand[s] the role of ports" and "continues to champion their cause across Government". On the seafarers' welfare charter, it "notes" the recommendation and says the charter will "initially launch on a voluntary basis".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error