Plastic Pollution Reduction

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I am quite shocked to hear that the Greens are not as good as we would have expected them to be. I am sure the noble Baroness opposite may have something further to say on that.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords—

Noble Lords: Oh!

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

Actually, that is just mean and I am going to say something else. I am sure the Minister knows that there is accumulating medical evidence of the damage to human health done by microplastics—impaired immune systems, cell damage, affected metabolic systems and so on—so getting this done quite quickly is important. Will the Minister make a recommendation to No. 10 to take on the noble Baroness, Lady Boycott, as an adviser, because she seems to know what she is talking about?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I certainly agree that the noble Baroness, Lady Boycott, knows what she is talking about. She has spoken authoritatively and knowledgeably on this for many years. But the noble Baroness is absolutely right to talk about microbeads and microplastics. As I said, we will publish our circular economy growth plan fairly soon. We need to ensure that we tackle the issue of microbeads and microplastics.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right. Of course, another issue is inconsistency across the country as to how that is done, which can confuse people when they are staying in other places. The key to resolving that issue is the work that we are doing with local authorities, because this is a local authority responsibility. The Government need to work with local authorities so that they have the resources and the powers that they need to make this work effectively.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, further to my earlier question about microplastics and human health, this could cost the NHS a huge amount of money, so it is quite an urgent matter. Will the noble Baroness take that message back to No. 10 as well, please?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

One of the things we are doing is working much better across departments, including with the NHS, so I will ensure that it is aware of the noble Baroness’s concerns specifically on this issue.