DP World’s planned £1 billion expansion of the London Gateway port-a development expected to create hundreds of jobs-is now clouded in uncertainty following a dispute that started after UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh was critical of P&O Ferries, which is owned by DP World, for the way it treated its employees and called the firm a “rogue operator” due to their controversial sacking of close to 800 seafarers last year.
Downing Street hastily sought to dissociate itself from the comments, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that such views did not represent the government’s opinion. The move is a big deal since the government wants to assure DP World of further opportunities in the UK before the ministers will go at the International Investment Summit to bring billions.
Though DP World refused to say if the expansion project is formally under review, the current wrangle might influence the final decision. The conference scheduled for a crucial time just before the UK government’s budget announcement will be an excellent opportunity for the government to stabilize the economy and present the UK as an economically stable destination for investment.
