Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many swimming pools are local authorities required to operate in their area.

Local authorities are not required by statute to operate swimming pools; provision is made on a discretionary basis in recognition of the significant health, wellbeing and community benefits swimming facilities provide. Local government remains the largest public funder of sport and leisure services in the country, and the Government continues to engage with the sector on sustaining these facilities.