Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders on the adequacy of public swimming pool provision and the long-term sustainability of access to swimming pools for residents in Dewsbury and Batley constituency.

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 which play an important role within communities.

The ongoing responsibility of 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.

The local Active Partnership for the constituency, Yorkshire Sport Foundation is best placed to provide guidance on how to access support for swimming pools. I would be happy to ask my officials to facilitate a conversation with the Yorkshire Sport Foundation and relevant stakeholders, if that would be helpful.