Ports concern at Liverpool cash

Jobs could go - and millions of pounds could be lost from the economy. That's the fear tonight after the Government announced Southampton and Dover's biggest rivals could take a huge slice of the country's cruise trade.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said Liverpool could become a base for cruise ships - if they handed back part of a public subsidy paid for by taxpayers.

This year, 400 cruise ships are expected to call at Southampton with one million passengers passing through the port. Each ship's visit is worth £2.5m to the local economy.

The loss of some of the business to Liverpool could cost Southampton £80m a year, as Phil Hornby explains.

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There's anger in Southampton and Dover after the Government gave the port of Liverpool the go-ahead to become a terminal for cruise ships. Liverpool Mayor, Joe Anderson, says it's a "positive announcement":

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There's anger in Southampton and Dover after the Government gave the port of Liverpool the go-ahead to become a terminal for cruise ships. Doug Morrison, port director at Southampton, says all ports deserve equal credit from the Government:

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Liverpool is trying to enter the cruise market, which would have an impact on Southampton. At the moment liners are only allowed to 'stop off' in the North West. Liverpool wants to start and end cruises, and more details will be announced today.

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