Every parliamentary written question tabled by John McDonnell this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 278 · this parliament
If she will offer the same settlement terms that will be provided in the settlement opportunity resulting from the implementation of the McCann Review to those that have already settled with HMRC.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 February 2026 to UIN 109841 and 109842.
If she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the application of merchant shipping legislation for civilian seafarers (a) in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and (b) working on MoD contracts.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency officials meet regularly with Ministry of Defence counterparts to discuss the application of merchant shipping legislation to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and other MoD shipping on non-commercial service. This relationship is set out in a memorandum of understanding between the MoD and MCA, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of maternity and paternity rights of seafarers working on merchant ships covered by the Merchant Shipping (Ministry of Defence Commercially Managed Ships) Order 1992.
The Merchant Shipping Order provides a foundation for seafarers’ rights. For the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), these statutory measures are substantially augmented by a comprehensive suite of policies supporting all employees through every life event, offering protections and benefits well in excess of those minimums.
What the total value was of dividend payments made to Tonnage Tax qualifying companies by companies not resident in the UK for tax purposes in each year since 2003-04 to date.
The information required is not readily available. Most dividends from non-UK resident companies are exempt in any event and tax risk is accordingly low.
What the mental health absence rate is in (a) the Work, Study, Family and Ukraine visa unit within the Visas and Passports directorate, and (b) the Home Office.
Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Which crewing agencies supply merchant seafarers to deliver MoD contracts.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not contract directly with crewing agencies. Where maritime outputs are delivered by civilian mariners, prime contractors are responsible for selecting, employing and managing any crewing agencies they use. As such, the Department does not hold a centrally maintained list of crewing agencies engaged by contractors delivering MOD maritime services.
When the cost figure for Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction from Income Tax for 2025-26 will be published.
Seafarers are not required to report their grade as the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction tax relief applies regardless. Outturn data for the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction claimants is available until 2023-24; HMRC does not publish an estimate of the number of claimants for 2024-25. HMRC’s Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026 contain a forecast of the cost of relief for 2024-25. A forecast for 2025-26 will be produced for the 2026 Autumn publication and outturn cost in the following year.
How many (a) ratings and (b) officers claimed Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction in each financial year between 2015-16 and 2024-25.
Seafarers are not required to report their grade as the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction tax relief applies regardless. Outturn data for the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction claimants is available until 2023-24; HMRC does not publish an estimate of the number of claimants for 2024-25. HMRC’s Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026 contain a forecast of the cost of relief for 2024-25. A forecast for 2025-26 will be produced for the 2026 Autumn publication and outturn cost in the following year.
Whether the replacement vessels his department has ordered from Serco Marine under the Defence Maritime Service Next Generation (DMS NG) programme will be owned by the MoD.
Yes. Information regarding the contract for the Defence Maritime Services Next Generation Vessel Replacement Programme can be found through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder
What the (a) actual and (b) estimated cost was of Corporation Tax relief for qualifying shipping company groups in the Tonnage Tax in each year for which there are figures between 2020-21 and 2026-27.
You can find the requested statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tax-reliefs
How many ship management companies have qualified for the Tonnage Tax scheme since 1 April 2024 to date.
The data on the number of ship management companies which have qualified for Tonnage Tax scheme since 1 April 2024 to date is not available as the full set of corporation tax returns relating to 2024-25 liabilities are yet to be received and processed. Estimates will be published in the next Tax relief statistics publication, scheduled for January 2027.
When she last discussed application of the ILO Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention 147 in the merchant shipping industry with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Officials in the Department for Transport (DfT) meet regularly with their counterparts in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to discuss the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), which supersedes the ILO Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 147). DfT also participate in the UK’s MLC Tripartite Working Group, which convenes every six months to review the effectiveness of the Convention’s implementation in UK legislation and to consider any updates required to supporting guidance for industry.
With reference to the Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026, if she will provide the claimant number for Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction in 2024-25.
Seafarers are not required to report their grade as the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction tax relief applies regardless. Outturn data for the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction claimants is available until 2023-24; HMRC does not publish an estimate of the number of claimants for 2024-25. HMRC’s Tax Relief Statistics published on 22 January 2026 contain a forecast of the cost of relief for 2024-25. A forecast for 2025-26 will be produced for the 2026 Autumn publication and outturn cost in the following year.
What oversight his department carries out of crewing agencies supplying merchant seafarers to deliver MoD contracts.
Where civilian mariners are employed by contractors to deliver Ministry of Defence (MOD) maritime outputs, the Department ensures appropriate oversight through the contractual framework. Contractors are required to comply with UK maritime law, the Maritime Labour Convention, and all relevant safety, welfare and certification standards. Prime contractors hold responsibility for selecting and managing any crewing agencies they use. The MOD monitors compliance through routine contract management, including assurance activity, audits, and safety reporting requirements. These oversight mechanisms ensure that contractors maintain suitably qualified and experienced personnel to deliver MOD tasks.
What estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of mental health absences in the Work, Study, Family and Ukraine visa unit within the Visas and Passports directorate, in each of the past three years.
Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
What recent discussions he has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the application of merchant shipping legislation to crew accommodation standards on each Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) complies with the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, as mandated by law. In respect of those provisions that are not legally binding, the RFA endeavours to uphold an equivalent standard wherever practicable. Deviation from these standards will only occur when necessitated by urgent operational requirements. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will monitor shipboard standards against the requirements of the MLC as part of the ISM Code Safety Management certification process.
If he will provide an update on the implementation of the (a) Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2024 and (b) Employment Rights Act 2025 for merchant seafarers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
RFA seafarers already receive the full statutory rights provided under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2024 and the Employment Rights Act 2025. Since September 2025, the RFA has operated an independent assessment system, supported by external advocacy and assurance, to ensure all applications for flexible working are handled fairly. These robust arrangements place the RFA at the forefront of best practice across the maritime industry.
Pursuant to the written answer of 4 February 2026 to question 109057, if he will list the maritime industry stakeholders his department has engaged with to date regarding the continued transformation of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s workforce framework in support of Defence operational needs.
The Department continues to engage widely across Defence, Government and the maritime sector in support of the RFA workforce transformation programme. This includes structured consultation with internal governance boards, representative bodies, specialist HR, legal and career management functions, as well as engagement with key maritime unions, industry groups and UK flag‑state partners. These collaborative discussions ensure that the evolving framework robustly supports Defence’s operational needs while remaining aligned with best practice across the wider maritime industry.
What his policy is on delivering (a) investment and (b) employment in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet through the Defence Industrial Strategy.
The Defence Industrial Strategy sets out how our national security is defended by our Armed Forces, that they are only as strong as the defence sector which equips them, including the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a unique asset to Government, which we continue to invest in, working closely across Government to ensure the seafarers who work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have the employment conditions that reflect their essential work.
What estimate he has made of the number of civilian seafarers employed on live contracts between his Department and private contractors.
Contracted maritime support is delivered through a number of commercial providers, who are responsible for recruiting and managing their own workforces to meet contractual requirements.