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

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make targeted hypothecated funds available to keep heated public swimming pools open.

We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at local authority level, and Her Majesty’s Government continues to encourage local authorities to invest in good swimming facilities.

We also recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on businesses of all sizes. Ofgem and Her Majesty’s Government are in regular contact with business groups and suppliers to understand the challenges they face and explore ways to protect consumers and businesses.

Sport England has invested £25,027,478 in swimming and diving projects since January 2017, which includes £15,724,500 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic, with 1,176 separate pools supported across 701 sites.