UK announces plans to block ferries with crews paid less than minimum wage from its ports

The government's move comes after widespread public fury to P&O Ferries sacking 800 workers

The UK government has announced plans to block ferries with crews paid less than the minimum wage from British ports in response to widespread fury to P&O Ferries' sacking of 800 workers without consultation.

The transport minister, Grant Shapps, told parliament on Wednesday that the government would write to the operators of British ports telling them to refuse access to companies that did not pay the UK minimum rate, adding: This will have the full backing of the government."