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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 63716 on Bathing Water, what kind of epidemiological studies she is carrying out in relation to wider reforms.

We have begun policy development and research on how best to implement the wider reforms as consulted on last year. These are expanding the definition of a ‘bather’ and introducing the use of multiple monitoring points at bathing sites. Policy development and research includes epidemiological studies which we are doing so that bathing waters can be used, monitored and classified with all users in mind. This research will also help us understand the public health implications and provide accurate advice. We are keen to work with stakeholders and welcome any information they can provide in developing this reform. We are exploring also the potential of conducting immersion studies as part of the research for the wider reforms.