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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential case for appointing a Minister to lead water safety and drowning prevention.

Water safety and drowning prevention are of critical importance and span a broad range of issues, including education, public health, emergency response, local government, recreation and navigation. Responsibility therefore sits across a number of organisations and Government departments.

Defra has worked with navigation authorities, regulators, water companies and other Government departments to improve cooperation, information sharing and preparedness, particularly ahead of periods of increased recreational activity.

I convened a roundtable in July with ministers and representatives from across Government to discuss water safety and ensure departments are working with arm’s length bodies and key partners to reinforce the importance of keeping people safe around water.