Swimming pool closures across Britain are leaving children at higher risk of drowning as basic water confidence plummets. A stark warning from unions and local authorities highlights how austerity cuts have created a public health crisis affecting thousands of young people.
Around 500 public swimming pools have been forced to close since 2010, with 250 shutting in just the last five years. The closures have removed more than 34,000 square metres of water space from communities across regions including London, the West Midlands, and Scotland.
Children losing water confidence
Nearly one in three children in Year 7 cannot swim 25 metres confidently, new research reveals. This represents a concerning rise from 27 per cent in 2017/18, suggesting swimming skills are deteriorating as facilities disappear.
The declining confidence could put young people at higher risk of drowning while denying them the mental and physical health benefits of swimming. Learning to swim is considered a fundamental life skill and childhood activity.
Union warns of 'terrifying' impact
Kevin Brandstatter, GMB national officer, said: "The Conservatives' grim legacy of austerity has left brutal scars right across society. Local authorities being forced to close so many swimming pools is a particularly terrifying example."
"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. Taken to its extreme, it leaves young people at risk of drowning."
Remaining facilities in crisis
Of the public swimming pools still operating, around 60 per cent are past their expected lifespan or desperately need refurbishment. A coalition of six major organisations has warned that urgent investment is needed to prevent further closures.
Liz Green, who chairs the Local Government Association's culture, tourism and sport board, said: "Local communities rely on sport and leisure facilities every day, whether it is swimming for the family or going to the gym. The benefits to both physical and mental health can be life-changing, yet without urgent investment we risk losing these altogether."
Government pledges funding
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has promised £400 million to support grassroots facilities as part of plans to build a healthier nation. Officials say they are working with the sport and leisure sector to understand what communities need.
A spokesperson said: "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."
Sources used: "bristolpost.co.uk", "Heraldscotland", "independent", "gbnews.com"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
