Safety checks for P&O vessels amid claims new crews earning below £2 an hour

Indian seafarers hired to replace sacked P&O Ferries crews are being paid just 2.38 US dollars an hour, a union has claimed (Gareth Fuller/PA)

P&O Ferries vessels will be blocked from sailing if they fail safety checks, the Government said, amid claims Indian seafarers to replace sacked crews are being paid £1.81 an hour.