Written question asked by Mark Sewards (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 July 2026. It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 on behalf of the Treasury.

Swimming: Education

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing VAT from swimming lessons for children.

Answer

Swimming lessons and water safety are vital life skills and are part of the national curriculum. The Department for Education is working closely with third sector organisations, including Swim England, the Royal Life Saving Society UK, and National Water Safety Education, to support schools in delivering these high-quality lessons through teacher training and resources.

Certain sporting and physical education services supplied by ‘eligible bodies’ are already exempt from VAT, including some swimming lessons. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sport-supplies-that-are-vat-exempt-notice-70145#an-overview-of-the-exemption-for-sporting-and-physical-education-services

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16718
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Education Children VAT Swimming
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Swimming: Education

Secondary information

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