Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Natural Environment Research Council Open Research Archive Storms and Waves update entitled Climate Change Impacts on Storms and Waves Relevant to the UK and Ireland, published in May 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the mean significant wave height increase in southern UK waters on (a) the incidence of marine pollution incidents, and (b) seafarer safety.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has not conducted any specific research of the potential of a change in mean significant wave height to the incidence of marine pollution in the UK.

We are also not aware of any discussions or research into the potential impact of the mean significant wave height increase on seafarer safety. However, the MCA reviews specific categorised waters, for significant wave height changes, on a case-by-case basis when supported by data which indicates a discernible change to significant wave height at that location. The report indicates that any such changes to wave height in either direction will be slow, and thus the impacts slow to develop, which will help us to introduce any changes that might be required in future to continue to ensure safety.