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Water Safety: Drowning Prevention
13 July 2023
Lead MP
Rob Butler
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
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Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Rob Butler raised concerns about water safety: drowning prevention in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The debate was initiated to address the tragic drowning of a 12-year-old girl named Sunnah Khan and to discuss ways to improve water safety. The speech highlighted key statistics from the National Drowning Report UK, noting that there were 226 accidental water fatalities in the UK last year, with a 46% increase in child deaths compared to the five-year average. Rob Butler emphasised the importance of teaching children about rip currents and other dangers associated with swimming, advocating for more educational efforts both at school and through public signage. He also proposed increasing awareness of brightly-coloured swimwear to aid quick identification during emergencies.
Claire Coutinho
Con
Solihull
Congratulated Rob Butler on securing the debate and expressed condolences for Sunnah Khan's family. Emphasised support for teaching swimming and water safety in schools, mentioning that 80% of primary schools provide these lessons.
Government Response
Government Response
The Minister responded by expressing condolences to Sunnah Khan's family and acknowledged the importance of the debate. She highlighted ongoing efforts such as the school sport and activity action plan, which encourages teaching practical water safety techniques in pools and classroom-based lessons on various dangers. The Department is also working with organisations like the Royal Life Saving Society UK and Swim England to develop resources for pupils. Additionally, she mentioned support for Drowning Prevention Week and World Drowning Prevention Day, aiming to increase awareness among families as they start their summer holidays.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.