Nine million people over 60 are set to get free swimming as Culture Secretary Andy Burnham today announced that more than 80 per cent of local authorities are to join a Government scheme.
The initiative is part of a £140 million Government investment in the sport that also includes free swimming for those aged 16 and under and capital for local authorities to upgrade pools.
For the over 60s, 300 out of 354 local authorities have confirmed that they will participate, offering free swimming to this age group between 2009 and 2011.
For the under 16s, 296 local authorities have expressed their interest in claiming their share of the £50 million fund for this age group, that will also be invested between 2009 and 2011.
Those local authorities that opt in for both the over 60s and under 16s pots will also share a £10 million capital fund, for 2008 / 09, to modernise and improve swimming pools.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham said:
"I am delighted that local authorities have overwhelmingly signed up to participate in the Government's free swimming scheme. Nearly 85 per cent of councils in England will be opening up their pools for free to over 60s and under 16s from April next year, helping us to achieve our ambition to secure a lasting sporting legacy from London 2012.
"Swimming is one of the most popular participation sports in the country. I'm confident that removing the barrier of entry charges will encourage more people to take the plunge. Our success in the pool at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games caught the attention of the nation and I hope that the under 16s offer will pave the way for a future Rebecca Adlington or Dave Roberts to get into the sport."
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell said:
"We're living longer, healthier lives and I'm very pleased that so many local authorities are joining us in promoting active ageing. Over three years, the DWP will contribute £22m which will enable nine million older people to swim for free from April 2009. Around seven per cent of older people already go swimming at least once a month, and those benefits are now going to be extended to more over-60s than ever."
Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson said:
"Swimming is a great form of exercise and one that can be enjoyed by everyone whatever their age. With two thirds of adults and a third of children being either overweight or obese there really has been no better time to hit the pool - and now nine million over 60s can do it for free."
Secretary of State for Children, School and Families Ed Balls said:
"Going swimming is a great activity for parents and children to do together or for young people to do with their friends. I want to see every young person taking part in sport and this is a great move to make it easy and affordable for everyone.
"We want every single child to be able to swim well by the time they are 11-years-old and we've made excellent progress on that aim, with 83 per cent of 11-year-olds leaving primary school able to swim 25 metres unaided. Nearly nine out of ten young people are now doing two hours or more of sport at school - but we want to increase participation in sport even more for young people."
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:
"It's great to see that so many councils have committed to this scheme. As leaders of their communities, councils have a key role to play in promoting healthy living by getting more people involved in local activities and encouraging regular exercise - and it's clear that they see this scheme as a vital step toward achieving this. This is an opportunity to create a tangible local solution to local health issues and is a fine example of what real leadership is about."
Local authorities that have expressed an interest to take up the under 16s scheme will be told what their financial allocation would be for this by the end of the month. They will then be asked to confirm participation in this part of the offer.
Those authorities that do participate in both the under 16s and over 60s offer are invited to bid for a share of a further £50 million, available in 2009-11, to invest in modernising pool provision and to support more ambitious plans for free swimming.
Sport England is administering this capital scheme on behalf of the Government.
