Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the polluter pays principle is upheld in cases where commercial maritime incidents result in environmental damage and costs being incurred by local authorities.

The Government is committed to upholding the polluter pays principle in cases where commercial maritime incidents result in environmental damage. 'Polluter pays' is an established principle in international environmental law, including conventions implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Where an incident occurs, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) works closely with local authorities and other operational partners to coordinate the immediate response and any required clean‑up activity. Once these operations are concluded, MCA supports local authorities in pursuing the recovery of costs directly from the shipowner or its insurer.