To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to announce his decision on bathing water designation; and for what reason this announcement has been delayed.

The summary of responses and government response to the consultation on 27 proposed bathing water sites was published on GOV.UK on 13 May: Bathing waters: proposed designation of 27 new bathing waters in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The newly designated sites will be added to the list of bathing waters with effect from the 2024 bathing season. Defra received 10,962 responses to the consultation on designating these sites, and ensured the confirmation of designations was made before the start of the bathing season, which begins on 15 May.