Marine Minister Stephen Morgan visited the Port of Tyne on 10 August 2026 to see the response to a plastic pollution incident, according to a government press release. He met representatives of the Port, local authorities, the Environment Agency and other organisations involved in the clean-up, and was joined by Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell.

At Littlehaven Beach, the minister met community groups and volunteers and thanked them for their work clearing affected beaches. Recovery efforts following the release of approximately 17 tonnes of small plastic pellets, known as nurdles, after a collision between two vessels at the port on 19 July were being led by the Port of Tyne and local authorities, with Defra and the Environment Agency supporting partners.

The release said the Environment Agency was deploying additional boats, drone surveys and specialist response teams, and that Community Officers were standing by for deployment. Defra said it was working with Cefas on environmental monitoring. The visit followed a call led by Morgan and Ports Minister Keir Mather on 7 August with partners, elected mayors and responding organisations. The government also said it was working to strengthen protections around transporting plastic pellets.