Primary Schools: Swimming Lessons

Baroness Pinnock Excerpts

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

I am trying not to be grumpy in answering this Question today, as I was a bit grumpy yesterday. However, the noble Earl has a bit of a cheek talking about the crisis in PE provision in our schools. This Government have acted quickly, but have been in government for only six months. The 6.7 percentage point decrease in those able to swim 25 metres unaided, compared with 2017-18, cannot be laid at the feet of this Government.

Having said that, there is a range of ways in which we want to reinvigorate sport, PE and other opportunities for children in our schools, whether by increasing the number or teachers, by increasing the funding that we have provided or by ensuring that the capital funding is there for provision. We take seriously the responsibility to ensure that every child has access to the sporting activities that are so important for both their health and their future opportunity.

[Baroness Pinnock (LD)]

My Lords, in response to an earlier question, the Minister said that local government could fund additional swimming pools where they have been closed. I am asking her to put her realism hat on to say where that funding will come from. Would she be prepared to go to her department to see whether grants are available for local government to fund new swimming pools, particularly in areas such as Dewsbury in my council, where there is no public swimming pool?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

To be completely clear, I said that it is a responsibility of local authorities to provide swimming pools. I also conceded that, over recent years, those local authorities have faced considerable financial challenges. I recognise that that is the cause of the issue my noble friend raised. I am not in a position, at this point, from this Dispatch Box, to promise largesse to local authorities. I am sure that the Government are aware of the many challenges local councils face, and we will work, when we can, to help alleviate them.