Energy support for swimming pools: DCMS Committee writes to Energy Secretary

DCMS Committee Acting Chair Damian Green has today written to Energy Secretary Grant Shapps to ask what consideration the Government is giving to providing swimming pools and other leisure facilities with additional help with energy costs.

The letter highlights how a lack of support through current Government schemes has led to the closure or reduction in opening hours at an estimated 350 pools. It warns that without specific targeted support, communities across the country risk losing access to sporting facilities that are important assets for public health.

The Secretary of State is specifically asked to clarify the criteria for support under the Government’s Energy and Trade Intensive Industries scheme.

Rt Hon Damian Green MP, Acting Chair of the DCMS Committee, said: “While a scheme explicitly designed to give a helping hand to energy intensive businesses exists, swimming pools and other leisure facilities have been excluded. Ahead of next week’s Budget, now is the time for the Government to acknowledge the particular needs of swimming pools and to set out how they can receive the support they need to survive. Without financial help, many pools face the prospect of closure which will inevitably have a bad impact on the health and wellbeing of the nation.”