"Forever Chemicals" in our Water

Residents have raised concerns with me about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

I do not want to see these chemicals in our drinking water supplies. Our waterways already face a waste problem, there cannot also be a chemical problem to add to it. I share concerns that have also been raised about PFAS in many everyday products including paper, board and compostable food packaging, due to their impacts on the environment and our health.
 

As you may be aware, in 2023, the Government announced its Plan for Water, in which it stated it would take action to address PFAS in the water system, including proposing new restrictions on their use. In October 2023, it stated that it is working with partners to develop recommendations for risk management measures of chemicals of concern. The Government previously stated that it would produce a Chemicals Strategy to be published in 2023. I will follow developments on this.

In 2020, the UK Government confirmed it was not seeking to participate in EU REACH, which regulates chemicals, as part of the UK’s future relationship with the EU and would instead establish an independent chemicals regulatory regime. This regime, known as UK REACH, came into force across Great Britain on 1 January 2021.

I am concerned the Government has not indicated an intention to seek close cooperation with the European Chemicals Agency, and that regulatory divergence could have a severe impact on the quality and strength of public health and environmental protections.

REACH worked and kept us safe and even several years after the British people voted to leave the EU, we still have no plan to match the scale and pace of proper and thorough chemical regulation. I worry that the lack of capacity in the UK system, of staff and data, to match the scale and pace of EU REACH is resulting in the UK considering fewer and weaker protections against harmful chemicals, and at a slower pace.

I will continue to monitor this issue and keep pressure on the Government to improve environmental and water protections.