It is vitally important that UK waters, and the species that live there, are properly protected, not least because our oceans play a key role in combating the climate crisis.

I know that polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and plastic waste are scourges that pollute our oceans, and our government must act to protect our oceans from them.

Back in 2018, the Government pledged to publish a Chemicals Strategy as part of its 25-Year Environment Plan. However, it has recently said that it still has no publication date for the Strategy, four years on.

The Government has said that it is working to improve its understanding of the emissions and risks of PFAS in the UK and how best to manage any such identified risks. It has said that it will consider how these chemicals are managed in this Chemicals Strategy, when it is finally published.

I am concerned about the delay to this Strategy and will follow developments on it closely.

More widely, I am concerned that 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. I believe that we should be improving our protections, not allowing them to degrade.

I can assure you that I will continue to press the Government to keep our waters safe from chemicals and to finally publish its Chemicals Strategy.