Ministers ‘told in advance about P&O mass sackings’

Government accused by Labour of complicity in ferry company's shock decision to cut 800 UK-based jobs

Government ministers knew about P&O Ferries' plan to slash 800 jobs before staff were informed but were told by officials it would ensure the firm remained a key player in the UK market for years to come", it was claimed on Saturday.

A leaked memo, apparently written by a senior Whitehall official, justified the mass redundancies, stating that without these decisions, an estimated 2,200 staff would likely lose their jobs".