£63m of Leisure Centre Funding – Budget Response

Together Active welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of £63 million in new funding to support public leisure centres with swimming pools. This funding is a vital lifeline for the leisure centres with pools in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, which have been struggling due to rising costs and reduced income.

As a physical activity charity working in disadvantaged communities in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, we know first-hand the importance of leisure centres with pools to the local community. These facilities are essential community hubs that provide children with opportunities to learn water safety skills and enable everyone from babies to grandparents to stay fit and active. High levels of deprivation and long-term health issues in Stoke-on-Trent in particular have led to high levels of inactivity in the area, making it even more crucial to safeguard these facilities.

The £63 million fund, which includes over £20 million in grants for leisure centres with pools facing immediate cost pressures, is a significant boost for these essential local hubs. We are grateful that council-run pools and those run on behalf of councils by leisure trusts and charities are eligible for support, as this will help to ensure that all leisure centres with pools can benefit from this much-needed funding.

We are also pleased to see that £40 million of the fund will be made available for investment in decarbonisation and long-term energy efficiency. This is especially important as leisure centres with swimming pools can contribute up to 40% of a local authority’s carbon footprint, and decarbonising the sector will reduce annual leisure costs, as well as contribute to achieving Net Zero targets.

It is essential to note that Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have faced significant cuts to local council budgets and provision in recent years. Without this funding, many leisure centres with pools in the area may have faced closure or reduced hours, exacerbating health inequalities and further reducing opportunities for physical activity in these communities.

We welcome the government’s support for the leisure industry and recognition of the important role that public swimming pools play in supporting healthy and active lifestyles in our communities. We will work with local authorities and Sport England to ensure that this funding is used effectively and equitably to support disadvantaged communities in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

We call on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that these essential local hubs remain accessible and sustainable for generations to come.