P&O Ferries has last chance to rehire sacked staff, says Grant Shapps

Firm must lift this week's deadline for workers to reply to redundancy offers, says transport secretary

P&O Ferries has one last opportunity" to U-turn on the sacking of 800 crew before a package of legal measures is brought in to force its hand, the government has warned.

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, is expected to unveil an eight-point plan on Wednesday that will include tightening employment laws for ship operators in UK waters, including on minimum pay and consulting on redundancies.