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Swimming Pools: Closures

Answer

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and learn the key life skill of water safety. Swimming facilities play an important role within our communities.

The ongoing responsibility for providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities. Through schemes such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the Government is providing financial support to public sector buildings, including leisure centres, to make tangible investments to improve sustainability, such as through the installation of air-source heat pumps, upgraded insulation, and smart energy management schemes.

In June last year, we committed £400 million to transform sports facilities, including public leisure, over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

10037

Session

2026-27

Subjects

Education Closures Swimming pools Swimming

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk