Newcastle-under-Lyme Landfill Sites: Health Effects

Adam Jogee, the new Labour Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme, asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Andrew Gwynne, if he would hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the potential health effects of toxic air from landfill sites on people in the Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency. In his response, Andrew Gwynne welcomed the new MP and acknowledged the importance of the issue. He explained that the UK Health Security Agency works with the Environment Agency to advise on health risks from landfill sites, and that a multi-agency group regularly reviews the situation and any necessary interventions regarding the Walleys Quarry landfill site in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Gwynne stated that he would raise the concerns with his counterparts in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Adam Jogee thanked the Minister for his response and reiterated that the Walleys Quarry landfill is an environmental and health crisis for his constituents, who are concerned about the impact of toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide. Jogee invited the Minister to visit Newcastle-under-Lyme to listen to the concerns of local residents, learn about the issue, and help address the problem. In response, Andrew Gwynne expressed that public health and prevention are priorities for the Labour Government. He acknowledged that the Environment Agency takes the lead in this specific instance, but he stated that he would be more than happy to visit Jogee's constituency to listen to the concerns of the residents and ensure that the public health considerations are amplified to the Environment Agency.