Watch my question on improving water safety education

Today, I spoke in a parliamentary debate about water safety education, where I highlighted the fantastic work Hope Cove Life Boat do in saving people from drowning in South Devon.

As my colleague said at the start of the debate, over 300 people in the UK drown every year, and in the last 3 years alone, almost 150 children have lost their lives from drowning.

That’s a shocking statistic, and particularly heartbreaking, when you think that that equates to 5 full classrooms of young people.

While the current curriculum does require some practical training in swimming, it doesn’t give children an understanding of the sea and how dangerous it can be, particularly when it comes to wind and tides.

It’s not just about knowing how to swim; it’s about knowing how to survive at sea.