Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 113448

Shipping: Crew

Tabled: 20 February 2026
Answered: 3 March 2026

Question

John McDonnell

LabourHayes and Harlington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of civilian seafarers employed on live contracts between his Department and private contractors.

Answer

Louise Sandher-Jones
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.