Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Water Pollution: Kent

Thursday 13 November 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tony Vaughan asked the Minister about urgent measures to address water pollution and ensure accountability and infrastructure upgrades in Kent.
  • Sir Roger Gale inquired if the release of microplastic pellets into the sea off the Kent coast is a one-off incident and whether it has affected or will affect other beaches in the area.
  • The Minister expressed concern over the pollution incident and offered to keep Sir Roger Gale updated on the studies regarding the impact and expected outcomes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tony Vaughan Lab Folkestone and Hythe
Environment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)

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.

Answered
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Q2 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Environment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a definitive assurance that the incident was a one-off or would not affect other beaches around Kent.

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