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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on public health of a ban on all wet wipes made with plastic where such products are currently used for infection prevention and control practices in the National Health Service and workplaces.

The consultation on the proposed ban of the manufacture, supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic closed on 25^th November 2023. Defra officials are currently analysing consultation responses.

The consultation included questions on the potential impacts the proposed ban – including for those who require wet wipes containing plastic for medical purposes. Defra officials are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including the NHS, on whether a medical exemption will be required.

Details of the policy will be announced in the Government Response to the consultation, to be published in due course.