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Swimming: Low Incomes

Volume 486: debated on Thursday 15 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure swimming access for people on low incomes. (247451)

Increasing overall participation in swimming, including access for people on low incomes, is one of the key aims of the Amateur Swimming Association's (ASA) strategic plan 2005-09. Sport England has contributed in excess of £9 million of Whole Sport Plan funding to this initiative.

Sport England awarded £3 million to the ASA to support its ‘Everyday Swim’ project during 2006-08. ‘Everyday Swim’ is a national project, operating at a number of sites across England. The aim is to deliver a sustained increase in participation, improving people's experience of using public pools, including those on low incomes.

In addition, the Free Swimming Programme is a £140 million coherent package designed to extend opportunities to swim and to maximise the health benefits of wider participation in swimming.