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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that beaches are cleaned and cleared of litter, rubbish, debris and discarded household items.

We all want beaches which are clear of litter and rubbish. Local Authorities and other land managers have a duty to keep their land clear of litter and refuse: this includes beaches above the high water mark. The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse sets out the standards we expect them to achieve. It recognises that cleaning beaches can present particular challenges because of the terrain, accessibility and the need to be sensitive to habitats.

Defra works with and supports the work of Keep Britain Tidy, which runs the globally-recognised Blue Flag beach award in England. This year, 61 beaches in England were awarded a Blue Flag, and 111 achieved the new Seaside Award (formerly the Quality Coast Award), with 31 beaches achieving both awards.