Plastic Pollution Reduction

Baroness Hooper Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I am sure the noble Baroness is aware that we published our PFAS plan in February. That sets out, for the first time ever, how government is going to minimise the harmful effects of PFAS. We need to look at how we can move to safer alternatives while continuing to monitor any detrimental effects. It is very important with clothes for children, for example, that we do not cause any harms.

[Baroness Hooper (Con)]

My Lords, is the Minister able to tell us whether the Government are supporting the women’s institute’s splendid initiative on microplastics, which is a campaign to ensure that special filters are fitted to all washing machines to avoid the reproduction of these microplastic elements?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

The noble Baroness has taught me something: I was not aware of that campaign. The women’s institute is a splendid organisation, and I am very glad that she has drawn my attention to that. We are really keen to work in this area and to look at alternative ways, as I have just said, to reduce microplastics in particular, which obviously leach into the water system through clothes in washing machines. I will look into this further and I thank her for drawing it to my attention.