Reacting to the Budget, UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti said:

“Overall we are pleased with today’s budget. Protecting employment until we emerge from the Covid crisis is paramount for all sectors including shipping and the continuation of the furlough scheme and new business relief loans will help support the economy, our members and their workers.

“The announcement on Freeports is a bold and dynamic initiative and we look forward to working with the new Freeports across the country.

“As we recover from Covid, it is also imperative we help those seeking a career in maritime. We wholeheartedly support the new apprentices’ initiative, and we will continue to do all we can to promote careers at sea to the next generation of school and college leavers.

“The environment is always at the front of our thinking and the budget includes several schemes for renewables and R&D which we are looking at with interest.”