MP hears concerns about Fluoride in local water supply

MP Markus Campbell-Savours was questioned over the future fluoridation of Cumbrian water supplies when he attended a public meeting staged by Fluoride Free Cumbria in Cockermouth town hall in July 2025.
He was told local people had never been consulted about the plan to dose fluoride from an industry waste by-product into West Cumbria's water. Paul Carr from the campaign group Fluoride Free Cumbria pointed out evidence that fluoride can affect the human thyroid gland and the IQ of infants receiving fluoride via the water in utero and when used to mix formula milk. "There is a risk of babies being brain damaged unnecessarily", he said.
Jacky Wilkinson told the public meeting that fluoride is used by doctors to treat hyper active thyroidism "so it clearly had an effect".
She added: "We took lead out of petrol, paint and water pipes because of the neurological risk, so why add a similar element, fluoride."
Diane Standen claimed that fluorosis or mottling of the teeth caused by fluoride affected a quarter of local children from fluoridated areas.
David Forrest said "All the activity in the USA is directed towards reducing fluoridation, yet in this country they want to increase it."
Jane Bell added: "I should have the freedom to choose what is in my water."
Paul Carr also claimed that Copeland and Allerdale had higher than national average cases of child tooth extractions (0-19 yr olds as % of population) despite having had fluoridated water. He pointed out that Cumbria Council has no policy on fluoridation and has so far failed to carry out scrutiny of potential health effects highlighted by latest scientific research of what he termed "mass medication of our water".
Leigh Puddifoot thanked the MP for listening to the views from the audience but he said his Whitehaven MP had "completely blocked me" by refusing to correspond further on the subject.
Mr Campbell-Savours said in his younger days he helped a friend deliver anti-fluoride leaflets but today he classed himself as agnostic and was keeping an open mind awaiting scientific evidence that the claimed benefits in reducing dental caries outweighed possible risks. He said "but there are questions I will now ask, and if not satisfied with the answers I will ask again and share whatever I find."