UK News

Transport Secretary calls on ‘brazen’ P&O Ferries boss to resign after mass staff sacking

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 25th March 2022

Grant Shapps has called on the boss of P&O Ferries to resign after the company sacked 800 staff members.

The Transport Secretary said that he ‘cannot believe’ that Peter Hebblethwaite can stay in his role as P&O’s chief executive.

Speaking to Sky News, Shapps added that Hebblethwaite’s recent comments about knowingly breaking the law showed ‘incredible ignorance’.

P&O Ferries suddenly halted all of its services last week, before making 800 of its seafaring staff redundant with immediate effect.

Grant Shapps says that the P&O Ferries boss should resign immediately. Credit: Sky News

Workers’ unions weren’t consulted ahead of the shock move, and staff are being replaced by low-wage agency staff.

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Hebblethwaite told MPs yesterday: “I completely throw our hands up, my hands up, that we did choose not to consult. We did not believe there was any other way to do this.”

He also said he would make the same decision again.

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Read more: Environmental activists have been deliberately deflating car tyres across Greater Manchester

Grant Shapps told Sky News: “I thought what the boss of P&O said yesterday about knowingly breaking the law was brazen and breathtaking, and showed incredible arrogance.

“I cannot believe that he can stay in that role having admitted to deliberately go out and use a loophole – well, break the law, but also use a loophole.”

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When pressed on whether he was implying that the P&O Ferries boss should resign, Shapps simply responded: “Yes.”

Featured image: Unsplash

UK News

Greater Manchester Police release latest image of elderly missing woman last seen in Oldham

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Greater Manchester Police have released a new image of an elderly missing woman after she was last seen in the Oldham area.

The 76-year-old lady, named only as Susette, who is believed to be from the Shaw area, was most recently spotted on Oak Street at approximately 8:56pm this past Monday, 20 October.

Officers and locals alike are understandably growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

Susette is described as an older white female, around 5’4″ in height, with a slim build and light blonde/greyish hair. You can see the latest sighting of her down below.

Have you seen Susette? (Credit: GMP handout)

Police previously stated that she had been seen wearing a blue anorak, blue jeans, a beige jumper with black stripes and black trainers with white trim.

However, as you can see, she has since been spotted in a similar outfit, apart from now wearing a cream jacket, black trousers and black ‘running-style’ trainers with a white sole.

It is also now understood that she has dementia and is therefore considered vulnerable.

Local Liberal Democrat and councillor, Howard Sykes MBE, has also asked his fellow constituents to remain vigilant and come forward with any and all potentially useful information they may have.

Sharing another photo of her via his official online blog, he went on to add: “Please can we ask anyone with any information to please contact GMP and to keep a lookout when out and about in the community to ensure Susette is found safe and well.”

It is believed that she is still on foot and will be in and around the Oldham area.

Anyone with any info is urged to get in touch with the authorities immediately so officers can ensure she is safe and well.

If you can help, simply get in touch via 101 quoting log 3670 of 20/10/2025; in case of emergency, dial 999 right away.

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Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police/Handout (via Howard Sykes MBE website)

UK News

More than £2 million in compensation received by underpaid workers in the North West

Danny Jones Danny Jones Underpaid workers North West compensation minimum wage fines

More than £2 million is said to have been dished out in compensation to workers in the North West alone, as the UK government is continuing to crack down on employers underpaying their staff.

Employees from nearly 500 different companies across the region have received the money they owed following a raft of fines in excess of £2.7 million.

Covering the likes of Greater Manchester and beyond, the companies responsible have been revealed by the government as part of the new Fair Work Agency (FWA), which is tasked with shoring up workers’ rights moving forward.

The FWA is part of Labour’s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and hopes not only to correctly reimburse those short-changed but also, with the clear threat of swift action, deter others from trying to do the same in the future.

Released publicly last Friday, 17 October, 80 companies that failed to properly pay approximately 19,000 workers in and around the North West have now been repaid by their employers.

Perhaps most concerningly is that the fines sweep across multiple sectors and sizes, from local independents and SME to well-known high street brands.

From April 2026 onwards, the updated Employment Rights Bill (which also includes the FWA) grants more powers to tackle employers underpaying workers and failing to fulfil both holiday and sick pay. 

This announcement also comes after the National Minimum Wage rate was increased earlier this year, with millions getting a pay rise and those working full-time on the National Living Wage seeing their families supported by an extra £1,400 per year. 

Under the ‘Make Work Pay’ initiative set out by the Labour Party, more than 15 million Brits are expected to benefit from the new measures.

Overall, roughly £6 million has been put back into the pockets of underpaid workers up and down the country following these fines, which are said to have totalled roughly £10.2m. The full list of companies in question can be seen HERE.

Speaking on the news, Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.

“We’re proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage, and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket. I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy, well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.

“With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”

If you fear you might be suffering from underpayment by your employer, you can check that your wages are correct online; alternatively, you can call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or contact their website for more information right HERE.

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Featured Images — Nick Pampoukidis (via Flickr)

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