Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bathing Waters

Thursday 25 May 2023 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Environment Agency will monitor all designated bathing water sites as expected.
  • The dates for water testing are set according to European standards, reflecting higher summer usage.
  • The Government did not vote down a Labour Bill but rather the control of the Order Paper.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Dunne Con
Environment
Context

The Department is being asked to support new bathing waters. The question highlights recent additions and asks about future resource commitments.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support bathing waters. She noted the addition of four new sites this year, including two in Rutland Water, one in Plymouth, and one on the River Deben near Waldringfield. She asked for assurances that the Environment Agency will be resourced to facilitate monitoring of inland waterways.

Answer from Therese Coffey

The Environment Agency will do the monitoring expected for all designated bathing water sites. The agency welcomes water companies' support and proposals to designate more inland waterways, but clarifies that these funds were anticipated as part of existing storm overflows discharge reduction plans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm additional resources beyond existing plans.

How: Under Review, Already Under Way

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Q2 Philip Dunne Con
Environment
Context

The question follows up on the designation of new bathing waters. It requests an extension of the testing period to include all-year-round swimming due to increased year-round activity.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the Environment Agency is resourced to facilitate monitoring of 100 inland waterway sites as they work towards achieving the bathing water designation? I am targeting a sewage outlet in Plymouth Sound and ask if we should extend testing beyond summer months since wild swimmers use these waters year-round.

Answer from Therese Coffey

The dates set down are consistent with European standards, reflecting higher summer usage. While people swim year-round in different parts of the country, designated sites are based on typical seasonality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to extending testing period beyond current dates.

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Q3 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Environment
Context

The MP thanks the Secretary of State for designating Devil's Point and Firestone bay in Plymouth as bathing waters. He targets a sewage outlet pumping raw human waste into Plymouth Sound year-round.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for backing my campaign to designate Devil's Point and Firestone bay in Plymouth as bathing waters. I am targeting a sewage outlet pumping raw human sewage all year round, asking if we should look again at extending water testing beyond summer months since wild swimmers use these waters year-round.

Answer from Therese Coffey

The dates set down are consistent with European standards, reflecting higher summer usage. While people swim year-round in different parts of the country, designated sites are based on typical seasonality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to extending testing period beyond current dates.

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Q4 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Environment
Context

The MP criticises the Government's voting down of Labour's Bill that aimed to end sewage dumping by making polluters pay. He highlights water companies' apology for their role in the scandal.

Question

Three weeks ago, Tory MPs voted down a Labour Bill to finally end the sewage scandal and make polluters pay. Last week, water companies apologised for their part in the scandal. Given her oversight as Minister leading to increased dumping, will she now apologise? Will she follow Labour's lead and ensure dividends cover costs of ending the scandal?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The Government did not vote down a Bill but rather the control of the Order Paper. It was pointed out that the Labour plan inadequately addressed existing plans, and the hon. Gentleman overlooked Wales' higher frequency of sewage overflow usage under Welsh Labour.

Not addressed: Did not acknowledge past oversights or commit to ending the scandal.

How: Correcting Record, Devolved Issue

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