The boss of the corporate that owns P&O Ferries will attend an funding summit within the UK regardless of the transport secretary’s scathing criticism, which included requires a boycott of the transport agency.
Sky Information understands Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chief government of Dubai-based DP World, will be part of the federal government’s Funding Summit on Monday.
It comes after stories that remarks by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh jeopardised a £1bn funding within the UK from DP World.
The occasion on Monday is meant to showcase Britain’s attraction to buyers and will likely be attended by the prime minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
DP World’s funding within the port was below assessment following criticism by Ms Haigh and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner of its subsidiary P&O Ferries.
In March 2022, P&O Ferries brought about large controversy by sacking 800 British seafarers and changing them with cheaper, largely overseas employees, a transfer it stated was required to stop the corporate from collapsing.
DP World chief government Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Pic: AP
Saying new laws to guard seafarers on Wednesday, Ms Haigh described P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator” and stated shoppers ought to boycott the corporate.
In a press launch issued with Ms Rayner, Ms Haigh stated P&O Ferries’ actions have been “a national scandal” and Ms Rayner described it as “an outrageous example of manipulation by an employer”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated Ms Haigh’s name for a boycott of the ferry agency was “not the view of the government”.
Chatting with BBC Newscast concerning the scenario, he stated: “Effectively, look, I feel we’ll resolve that.
“But… I think if you look at the last three or four weeks, you’ve seen £40-plus billion worth of investment.”
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In a press launch issued with Ms Rayner, Ms Haigh stated P&O’s actions have been “a national scandal” and Ms Rayner described it as “an outrageous example of manipulation by an employer”.
Labour MP Liam Byrne has defended Ms Haigh, saying she was “absolutely right” to specific her view that the behaviour of P&O Ferries was “completely unacceptable”.
Mr Byrne, who can be the chairman of the Home of Commons Enterprise and Commerce Committee, stated the ferry agency’s previous remedy of its employees is “the kind of behaviour that we can’t have in this country”.
File pic: PA
However he added that the federal government’s Employment Rights Invoice would supply a “very clear framework” on how corporations can deal with employees, which might “bite on” corporations like P&O Ferries.
When requested about any motion on the £1bn funding, a senior authorities supply instructed Sky Information: “It’s for companies to announce their investments but warm engagement continues. We look forward to a successful summit, showing that with this Labour government, Britain is open for business.”
A Quantity 10 spokeswoman stated: “Investors are coming to our summit on Monday because they have renewed confidence in Britain, thanks to the stability and seriousness this Labour government brings.”
P&O Ferries, which is owned by a distinct firm to P&O Cruises, operates routes throughout the Channel, North Sea and from Britain to the island of Eire.
