Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Water Safety 2025-02-05

05 February 2025 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Lee Pitcher Lab Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme

Environment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Lee Pitcher raised concerns about water safety 2025-02-05 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the need for a Bill to ensure safety equipment at reservoirs is properly installed and maintained
  • Proposes creating an offence for damaging or destroying safety equipment near bodies of water
  • Calls for the inclusion of water safety education in school curricula

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Lee Pitcher Lab Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme

Proposes a Bill to make provision about the installation and maintenance of safety equipment at reservoirs, create an offence for damaging or destroying such equipment near bodies of water, and mandate teaching of water safety in schools. Emphasises the tragic death of Sam Haycock who drowned after his friends could not access locked safety equipment.

Other contributors (1)
  • Lee Pitcher Lab Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme

    Highlights that there were 141 deaths in inland open water bodies in 2023, with over 100,000 calls annually to emergency services for water rescues. Proposes a legal responsibility on landowners to provide and maintain safety equipment near reservoirs; introduces a criminal offence for vandalism of such equipment; and seeks to include a requirement in the national curriculum for understanding dangers of swimming in open water.

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