← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Throwline Stations
24 January 2022
Lead MP
Nicholas Fletcher
Responding Minister
Kemi Badenoch
Tags
EducationForeign AffairsBenefits & WelfareParliamentary ProcedureLocal Government
Word Count: 11191
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Nicholas Fletcher raised concerns about throwline stations in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Mr Afzal Khan highlighted the tragic death of Mark, a young man who drowned in Gorton Lower Reservoir while cooling off on a hot day. He emphasized that if a throwline had been available, Mark might have survived. Since then, three throwline stations dedicated to Mark's memory were installed at Gorton reservoirs thanks to Leeanne Bartley's campaigning efforts.
Damien Moore
Con
Southport
Damien Moore highlighted the need for throwlines near open bodies of water to prevent drowning fatalities. He noted that over 44% of drownings occur when individuals had no intention of entering the water and suggested strengthening legal requirements for landowners to assess and act on risks. Moore also commended local rescue services and shared awareness videos from RNLI promoting 'Float to Live'. Furthermore, he discussed a tragic incident involving Ben Smith-Crallan and proposed including throwlines as part of safety measures in public spaces.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Daniel Zeichner praised the debate's comprehensiveness and Leeanne Allen's campaigning efforts. He noted that every speech reflected a tragedy for families and constituents, citing specific cases like Lucas and Ben. He inquired about the Department for Education's actions to raise awareness of water safety in schools.
David Jones
Con
Clwyd West
Mr David Jones expressed concern over the lack of proactive measures to prevent drowning incidents, highlighting the tragic death of Mark Allen and the subsequent installation of throwlines by United Utilities. He proposed that a requirement for providing throwlines at every large body of water could significantly reduce accidental drowning deaths in the UK. Mr Jones questioned the Minister about what actions landowners should take regarding risks posed by open bodies of water and whether legislation to mandate throwline provision was being considered. David Jones thanked the Minister for her attention and urged her to consider legislation based on youth impetuosity, referencing a coroner's report that suggested better equipment could have saved lives.
Mr James Davies agreed with Mr Khan's points and noted that a significant number of his constituents had signed the petition. He asked if any guidance or legislation resulting from the debate would apply to Wales as well.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Ms Blackman thanked the Chair and the Petitions Committee for discussing throwline stations. She expressed concern over increased water activities in Scotland, particularly wild swimming, paddle boarding, and canoeing, which have risen during the pandemic despite the cold waters posing significant risks. She mentioned that Scotland had its own drowning prevention strategy in 2018 to promote education on water safety but highlighted a doubling of fatalities in Scottish waters last July. She called for increased education in schools about water risks and proper use of throwlines, advocating for proactive rather than reactive measures.
Mark Tami
Lab
Alyn and Deeside
Mark Tami intervened, agreeing that very small children can drown in shallow water and noted that such incidents have occurred in caravan parks and similar areas where parents might assume the environment to be safe.
Matthew Offord
Con
Hendon
He expressed concern about the high number of drowning incidents occurring annually in the UK, around 400 per year. He highlighted that many people who survive a near-drowning incident end up in persistent vegetative states and need lifelong care. Matthew Offord shared personal experiences as a former lifeguard and mentioned the importance of water safety initiatives such as throwlines to prevent accidental drownings, especially in contexts like wild swimming and recreational activities.
Natalie Elphicke
Con
Dover
Natalie Elphicke discussed the tragic death of her constituent, Lucas Dobson, who drowned in the River Stour. She supported calls for a new law, 'Lucas's law', which would make it compulsory for young children to wear lifejackets and require more life-saving buoyancy rings and lifelines near water bodies. Elphicke highlighted the importance of raising awareness about water safety and called on organisations like the Royal Yachting Association to back these plans.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
Ms Champion highlighted the tragic loss of lives due to a lack of accessible throwlines and vandalism of lifesaving equipment. She cited specific cases such as Mark Allen and Sam Haycock, noting that 242 accidental deaths occurred in water in 2020 according to the National Water Safety Forum. She emphasised the need for easily locatable and accessible throwlines and advocated for legal deterrents against vandalism. Sarah Champion questioned the adequacy of local authority assessments on life-saving equipment, suggesting specific measures like vegetation clearance and regular checks. She also asked about the requirement for swimming lessons in primary education to ensure water safety.
Government Response
Kemi Badenoch
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Ghani. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley for securing today's important debate and pay tribute to Leeanne Bartley for her tireless campaigning since her son's tragic death in 2018. The Government are committed to protecting people by raising awareness of water safety risks through campaigns, providing landowners with information on up-to-date risk assessments, and working closely with the Local Government Association's water safety toolkit. The Cabinet Office is reviewing coastal water safety to explore what more can be done to raise awareness and increase lifesaving equipment provision near open bodies of water. Despite no mandatory legislation starting point, work continues on discovering solutions for issues such as unusable throwlines. Between 2019 and 2020, searches for 'wild swimming' increased by 94%, highlighting the need for more public awareness campaigns about cold water dangers. The Government's No. 1 priority is to keep people safe, urging landowners to act responsibly. The Department for Education is working closely with Swim England, Royal Life Saving Society UK and Oak National Academy to support pupils in returning safely to swimming and promoting water safety education. Essential practical steps include wearing wetsuits, allowing bodies to acclimatise to temperature changes, checking weather conditions before swims, and considering the safest locations such as supervised beaches and outdoor pools. All Departments involved will be consulted to find a suitable pathway for addressing this issue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.