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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to tackle drain blockages and fatbergs.

Defra is considering a range of options to tackle drain blockages and fatbergs. My officials are working to assess the effects of wet wipes containing plastic on sewers and identify possible solutions. The incorrect disposal of wet wipes can be one of the main causes of sewer blockages. Wipes often then combine with fats, oil and grease, which are also often disposed of down sinks into drains, and combine to form fatbergs.

Defra also continues to encourage the water industry and wet wipe manufacturers to work together to raise consumer awareness about the appropriate disposal of wet wipes and other non-flushable products. This will be crucial for generating meaningful behavioural change with consumers and customers.