Almost Half of Brits Avoid the Sea – MP Demands Action on Sewage Crisis

Will Forster, the Liberal Democrat MP for Woking, has said that the findings of a Liberal Democrat poll is a “damning indictment” on the state of British seas, and that they are “saddened but not surprised” by the results of the research. 

A new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, undertaken by Savanta, has found that nearly half of Brits (44%) would never swim in the sea during the summer. 

The polling also found that 19% of respondents said that even if the Government hit its target of halving sewage spills by 2030, they would actually be less likely to swim in the sea and 45% of respondents said they would not swim in the sea at all. 

Although Woking is inland, local residents frequently visit the Surrey and Sussex coastlines, including popular spots like West Wittering and Brighton. Will Forster has long campaigned for cleaner rivers and seas, including tackling sewage discharges into nearby watercourses such as the Hoe Stream and River Wey. 

Will Forster, MP for Woking, has called on the Government to do more to protect our “invaluable” waterways, and says that the new regulator has to be established as soon as possible and given the powers it needs to hold water companies accountable for sewage dumping. 

Will Forster, Liberal Democrat MP for Woking, said: 

“This polling is a damning indictment of the state of our invaluable waterways. Many of us across Woking love heading to the beach and should be enjoying a dip this summer, but because of uncontrolled sewage dumping are missing out. 

“I am saddened but not surprised by these findings. Serially polluting water companies have been let off the hook for too long. The Government has got to act more quickly and with greater ambition if they are to reverse the damage caused by the former Conservative government’s negligence. 

“Labour needs to get a grip on this coastline crisis. They can start by getting a new water regulator set up as soon as possible, with the powers it needs to truly hold water companies accountable. Tougher fines, levied swiftly, are needed to hold sewage dumpers criminally responsible for their mistreatment of our seas and rivers.” 

ENDS 

Notes To Editors: 

The polling by Savanta for the Liberal Democrats can be found here. 

Methodology: Savanta interviewed 2,128 UK adults aged 18+ online between 25th and 28th July 2025. Data was weighted to be representative of the UK by age, sex, region, and social grade. Savanta previously interviewed 2,272 UK adults between 21st and 23rd July 2023.