Water Pollution Kent 2025-11-13
2025-11-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Littlestone and Dymchurch are two popular beaches in Folkestone and Hythe constituency, but they face no swim advisories which harm local tourism, residents, and businesses.
What urgent measures will the Minister take to ensure clear accountability for water companies, rapid infrastructure upgrades and a transparent timetable for lifting no swim advisories, and will she meet me to discuss how we can create safer seas for my constituents—and possibly join me for a swim when it is safe to do so?
I thank my hon. and learned Friend for the kind offer, although I might not take him up on an outdoor swim in November or December. This is a really important issue. We have pledged to halve sewage pollution by 2030 and bathing water sites are being prioritised for upgrades because we recognise how important they are for health, leisure and tourism. My hon. and learned Friend will be pleased to know that the local Environment Agency area director has agreed to meet him on this matter urgently; of course, I will be happy to meet him too.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There was a shocking release of microplastic pellets into the seas off the channel coast, raising concerns about the impact on other beaches around the Kent coast.
Will the Minister reassure the House that the shocking release of microplastic pellets into the seas off the channel coast is a one-off and that it has not affected and will not affect any of the beaches around the rest of the Kent coast?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising such an important issue. I share his anger at this appalling pollution incident. The studies into exactly where the plastic pellets might end up are ongoing, but I would be more than happy to keep him up to date so that he knows what is expected to happen and when. The immediate priority is to address the environmental damage and to minimise further impacts. I have been speaking with Southern Water and the Environment Agency about this and would be happy to keep the right hon. Gentleman and the House up to date.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a definitive assurance that the incident was a one-off or would not affect other beaches around Kent.
Response accuracy