Manchester Labour

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Our aim is to make Manchester the cleanest, greenest and healthiest city.

Manchester Free Swimming Offer

Disappointment has been felt around the country with news that funding from The ConDem Government for free swimming has been axed.

The scheme focused on to two key age groups, those aged 16 and under and those over 60, when staying active is particularly important for health and well-being.

Improving access to sport is a priority for us right across Manchester and the results surrounding free swimming speak for themselves. Among the over 60s there have been more than 50,000 visits to Manchester’s public swimming pools recorded in the last 12 months. Among young people the figure is more than 135,000. In some areas we have seen an increase of more than 50% of young people now swimming with the biggest impact being seen during the school holidays.

With such clear benefits to the people of Manchester, we have made it a priority to keep the service going.

At a time when health problems such as obesity and heart disease are at an all time high and threatening to put a greater strain on the health service, and at a time when families are least likely to be able to afford to pay for sports activity, it doesn’t make sense to take this important provision away.

We have therefore put a contingency plan in place which will mean those over 60 can continue to swim for free in the city’s public pools at any time and those aged 16 and under can enjoy free swimming in the summer holidays.  

I am very proud that we have been able to find a solution and can continue to provide this essential service to our residents in Manchester.

Labour Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Manchester City Council