Swimming pool closures risk young people drowning

Young people are at risk of drowning because of the “terrifying” number of swimming pools that have closed in the last decade, a union says.

A study, conducted by the GMB union, indicates 500 public pools have closed since 2010, with almost half shutting since the pandemic. A coalition, including the Local Government Association (LGA), is now calling for renewed funding.

A report from the coalition, said 30% of children in Year 7 could not swim 25 metres confidently, which was up from 27% in 2017/18.

The union’s study said council-owned swimming pools had closed in London, West and East Midlands, south west, south east and north east England, Wales, Scotland and Yorkshire.

“Learning to swim is a basic life skill, splashing in a pool is a fundamental childhood joy – two things being potentially now denied to thousands of youngsters,” he said.

“Taken to its extreme, it leaves young people at risk of drowning.

“It’s going to take years to repair the damage the Tories did, but Labour’s fair funding review must start funding local authorities properly again.”

The coalition calling for renewed funding also includes the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association, Community Leisure UK, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers, Swim England, and ukactive.

They said funding should be invested in facilities people rely on every day to stay active and healthy.

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it had pledged £400m to support grassroots facilities, and it was now working with the sport and leisure sector to help get people active.

“We will ensure that this funding promotes health, wellbeing and community cohesion and helps to remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups,” they said.

The coalition’s report said 60% of swimming pools were beyond their expected lifespan or in need of refurbishment.

“Local communities rely on sport and leisure facilities every day, whether it is swimming for the family or going to the gym,” said Liz Green, chairwoman of the LGA’s culture, tourism and sport board.

“The benefits to both physical and mental health can be life-changing, yet without urgent investment we risk losing these altogether.”