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Leisure Centres: Government Support
15 December 2022
Lead MP
Charlotte Nichols
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyCulture, Media & SportEnergyLocal Government
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Charlotte Nichols raised concerns about leisure centres: government support in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP raised concerns about the financial pressures faced by leisure centres due to increased energy costs and other challenges. She highlighted that councils are major funders of sport and leisure services, but these facilities face significant cuts due to austerity measures and the recent pandemic. LiveWire, a community interest company in Warrington, is at risk of closure without financial support beyond March 2023. The MP emphasised the importance of leisure centres for public health and social cohesion, and called on the government to provide additional funding.
Stuart Andrew
Con
Ruislip-Northwood
The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining leisure facilities due to rising energy costs and other inflationary pressures.
Government Response
The Minister recognised the importance of public leisure centres for community health and social cohesion. He highlighted that during the pandemic, the Government provided £100 million in support through the national leisure recovery fund and continues to invest in sport and physical activity via Sport England. The energy bill relief scheme has been extended until March 2023 to limit costs for swimming pools and gyms. While no new financial announcements were made during this debate, the Minister committed to ongoing engagement with local authorities and sector partners to ensure continued support for essential services.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.