We are saddened that as a part of the government cuts, all free swims for over-60s and under-16s will be cut in England at the end of July.
The scheme was introduced in April last year and was meant to run until March next year, but ministers say it was not good value.
Although 18 million people took up the offer of a free swim in the first year, the government believe that many of those who took part would have done so anyway, even if they had to pay.
We believe this scheme was a fantastic idea to help children and the elderly keep healthy and fit and yes, we’re sure that there were a fair few people out of the 18 million that would have gone swimming anyway, but think of the amount of people that wouldn’t have. What a shame.
The government says that ending the scheme on July 31st will save them £40m of the £140m cost of the scheme.
When the previous Labour government first introduced the scheme they said it was aimed at getting people more active, and ensure a lasting legacy for the 2012 Olympics.
The cost for the scheme was shared between five government departments.
But, as the new coalition government reviews schemes to make cuts to reduce the record of the budget deficit, it seems we will no longer enjoy this offer.
The swimming scheme was examined by the Consultants Pricewaterhouse Coopers to see if it had increased the number of swimmers and the “health and consequent economic benefits”.
The report showed that 261 local authorities applied for the programme in the first year, most of which had offered free swims to both the under-16s and over-60s but 64 of them concentrated on the over-60s.
It was shown that more under-16s took up the free swimming incentive than the over-60s. It also showed that the scheme encouraged more paying swimmers to take part which we can assume is the adults who accompanied their children.
Over-60s who took part increased their swimming sessions, so the number reaching the 30 minutes of exercise a day as recommended by the government increased from 66.2% to 78.4% of those that were surveyed.
The figure for under-16s, who are meant to do 60 minutes of exercise a day shows that 32.9% hit the target after the free swimming was introduced which increased from 20.7% previous.
Of the swimmers that were surveyed, 72.9% of the under 16s said it was likely that they would have gone anyway, and 82.5% of the over-60s agreed.
Hugh Robertson, the Sport and Olympics Minister said that “ The research shows that a majority of the swimmers who went for free were swimming already and would have paid for it. With a crippling deficit that we are tackling, tough decisions have to be made and unfortunately this luxury is one we can no longer afford.”
However, Robertson did say that under plans to reform Lottery money, an extra £50m should go into sports facilities by 2012.
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