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Swimming Facilities
04 June 2025
Lead MP
Joe Robertson
Isle of Wight East
Con
Responding Minister
Not recorded
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 9918
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Joe Robertson raised concerns about swimming facilities in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key Requests to Government:
Local authorities have responsibility for supporting the provision of both formal and informal opportunities for communities to be active, but they also need support from the Government. Councils spend £1.4 billion a year on sport, leisure, green spaces, parks and playgrounds, making local government the biggest public funder of sport and leisure services.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Swimming remains one of the most popular activities in England, with around 12.5 million adults going swimming each year—that is around 27% of the population. Seventy-two per cent of schools use public pools to deliver their statutory responsibility for learning to swim, and 85% of young people learn to swim in a public pool, with almost 2 million children learning to swim outside school through Swim England’s “Learn to Swim” programme each year. Seventy-five per cent of grassroots sports clubs use leisure facilities to deliver social and sporting opportunities to communities. And 66% of NHS cancer rehabilitation services take place in leisure facilities. The number of people with a limiting health condition or disability taking to the pool has grown from 15% two years ago to 24% more recently.
Chris McDonald
Lab
Stockton North
He highlighted the importance of investment in swimming facilities by local authorities, noting the loss of 500 pools since 2010 and urging the Minister to consider future investments.
Christine Jardine
in the Chair
She ordered a reduction in speaking time limits to accommodate all MPs who wished to contribute.
Henley and Thame
Mr Van Mierlo highlights the struggle of Sonning Common primary school to keep its pool open due to lack of grants. He asks for Government support to ensure continuity in swimming education.
Helen Grant
Con
Maidstone and Malling
Swimming is a force for good, providing health benefits for mental and physical well-being. Local authorities need to support the funding of these facilities.
Ian Roome
LD
North Devon
Discussed the case of Oscar, a 14-year-old who saved someone's life after learning lifesaving skills at local swimming clubs. Noted concerns about the affordability of pool access for low-income families.
Irene Campbell
Lab
North Ayrshire and Arran
Discussed the importance of outdoor swimming pools in Scotland, highlighting the town of Saltcoats and its historical tidal pool. Mentioned an event promoting lidos' contribution to public health and local economies.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
The lack of swimming pools in Scotland and England is a concern, as it affects communities' ability to access swimming for health and life skills.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
She discussed the dramatic increase in primary school children unable to swim due to the closure of a local pool, urging the Government to provide help for redevelopment efforts.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon acknowledges the importance of swimming facilities in providing opportunities and mentions local success stories like Bethany Firth, an Olympic champion who learned to swim at a nearby complex.
Joe Robertson
SNP
Dunbartonshire East
Welcomed the sentiment expressed by the Minister but was disappointed that she could not commit to previous Government funding pots for swimming facilities.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Swimming facilities are crucial for coastal communities, providing both recreational and essential life skills. Agreed with Irene Campbell's points about Scottish Government underfunding councils for supporting swimming pools.
Eastbourne
Pushed for a new funding model to support swimming facilities, noting Eastbourne Sovereign Centre as a potential test bed. Emphasised the role of local pools in community health and education.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Swimming is a valuable life skill, but there has been a decline in young people’s swimming capabilities following the pandemic. The number of new pools opening is only half that of those closing. While previous Conservative Government initiatives like the £100 million national leisure recovery fund and the £80 million swimming pool support fund helped to cover spiralling costs, concerns remain about the current government's lack of proposals to prevent further closures.
Cheltenham
Stressed the importance of swimming as a form of exercise that is beneficial for most people, especially those with disabilities or health conditions. Advocated for systemic changes to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce pressure on the NHS.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Expressed concern over the proposed loss of two public pools in Bedford due to unaffordable repairs and running costs, impacting local schools and swimming clubs.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Agreed with Sadik Al-Hassan, highlighting the Atherstone swimming pool's closure issues and waiting lists for children to learn to swim.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Ms Smith discusses issues with new towns like Sherford where leisure facilities promised at inception are delayed due to funding constraints. She calls for government support in ensuring new developments include necessary amenities.
Sadik Al-Hassan
Lab
North Somerset
Discussed the importance of swimming pools for physical and mental well-being, citing closures and underfunding issues since 2010. Highlighted Portishead lido's success with a £1.3 million grant.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
Mentioned the mental health benefits of swimming, noting that nearly half a million people have reduced or stopped taking medication due to swimming. Highlighted the loss of pools in Crook and Stanhope.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
The increasing number of drownings among young people due to lack of swimming skills is a significant concern. Learning to swim is vital for safety. Asked about funding opportunities similar to the previous Government’s support fund to reopen the Deepings leisure centre, making swimming available to children and adults in the community.
North Norfolk
He spoke about progress in securing investment for swimming facilities in North Norfolk, including a major rebuild of the Reef leisure centre in Sheringham and planning consent granted for an expansion project.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Highlighted the importance of water sports and facilities in Bournemouth. Urged for more investment in swimming lessons and free swimming passes to tackle child poverty.
North East Fife
She emphasised safety and access to facilities, highlighting the importance of Lib Dem councillors ensuring support for swimming lessons. She also discussed the growth in open-water swimming groups and the need to address costs for poorer communities.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.