Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that every bathing water location on the coast achieves excellent status.

Substantial improvements have been made to bathing water quality: in the early 1990s, just 28% of bathing waters met the highest 'excellent' standards in force at that time. In 2021, using a stricter 'excellent' standard introduced in 2015, 70.7% of bathing waters were classified as 'excellent' and another 24% as 'good'.

Improving water quality is a Government priority, and we know there is more to be done. The Environment Agency is working with partners including local authorities, water companies, farmers and businesses to both improve bathing water quality and prevent deterioration. The landmark Environment Act 2021 sets a duty on water companies to achieve a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from Storm Overflows, which will further support this work.