free swim

[chantal32]

I have discovered that the Government has abolished free swim for the under 16s and over 60s. Aside from the other budget cuts that will affect my family, (tax credits, child benefits, teacher pay freeze and pension contribution increase), I believe this is a really important scheme that should not be abolished. The Labour Government invested what amounted to 65 million pounds a year to enable these groups to swim for free. I have written to my mp, but don't feel this is enough. What I really want to do is start a petition and present this to the government. Is anyone else outraged by this?

[MmeRedWhiteandBlueberry]

People need to stand on their own two feet and pay their own way. I am not outraged by the abolition of the scheme.

[MumInBeds]

We used the scheme a lot so have been disappointed to see it go however when there are tough decisions to be made this is one of the easier ones.

[Rindercella]

People are losing their jobs. Significant cuts are having to be made. Although I guess it must be a little disappointing that you can no longer swim for free, it's not something I will lose sleep over. And I am most certainly not outraged by it.

[chantal32]

while my family will continue to swim, I am outraged because it will be the most vulnerable who will suffer. I don't think it's about a nanny state, it's just a scheme to encourage healthy lifestyles and equalise acccess to sports activities. As there are other more significant cuts that are being made that will result in job losses, why not leave schemes alone like the free swim. They may not be value for money, but it is about well being. This is something worth keeping.

[werewolf]

The Labour government massively overspent and let the economy into freefall.

We need cuts and this is an obvious one.

[SagacityNell]

We didn't get free swimming anyway.

[gruber]

I for one am not sorry. Went swimming last night, it was the end of the public (free to under 16 & over 60) session as I arrived. There were 20 teenage boys terrorising 2 lifeguards, refusing to get out of pool, diving, bombing, causing havoc. It is only a small pool but because they can swim for free they do and cause havoc and chaos for other users.

I will continue to swim with my little girl (not at that pool though - no toddler pool there) because I feel it's a valuable skill & we'd go swimming whether it's free or not.
Yes it was nice to get free swimming but we are in a recession & job cuts are everywhere, I am glad the pool is still open. Like Rindercella said, I won't lose sleep over it.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Sorry that you feel this way but it is an obvious cut.

[Hulababy]

Who is going to pay for the free swimming?

We never had free swimming for children over 5y here anyway. Don't know about over 60s.

[JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar]

I think it's a shame. Although we never got the free child swims here anyway, the social aspect for over-60s quite possibly made this scheme really quite cost effective.

I'd be interested to know just how much this is saving - relatively little I imagine. I also suspect that the benefits outweighed the cost (or at least would have done given half the chance).

[upahill]

I was shocked when it was introduced to be honest!

[upahill]

Chantal32. There are other activites that people can do to look after their wellbeing that costs very little money.

Leisure Centres/ Swimming Pools cost a lot in terms of maintaing, running staffing etc. I can't for the life of me see why it should be free. Swimming is a relatively cheap activity anyway.

Since the free swims were introduced we couldn't swim much anyway for reasons Gruber mentions.

Staff from the public sector (especially in Leisure, Culture and Sport) are losing their jobs. How can free sports activities sit comfortably with that?

[SpringHeeledJack]

I agree with you chantal

I think this is a false economy. I live in inner london. Our local pool (flash and new; in a very working class area) was deserted before the free swims came in- now it's rammed. And not just with kids but with their mums and dads (paying) as well. And I know this sounds a bit but a lot of the kids swimming now are on the big side iykwim- so I am convinced it would have had long term health benefits for a significant number of people.

In my family's case swimming was something we were always just going to get around to. Now my kids all swim free we all go two or three times a week- I've now got a season ticket.

I have seen wildly different figures quoted for the saving here and would be interested to know what it really is...I think that the tories hated this policy anyway and would have binned it on taking office even if the Treasury coffers were stuffed with gold

[SpringHeeledJack]

...I would suggest under the circumstances that the govt partially axe free swims but keep them for children with a free school meals entitlement. There you go- would save a few quid; target the disadvantaged; be easy to administer (no means test)

[darcymum]

Anyone live near Brean in Somerset and want a free family swim? I have a voucher.

[GypsyMoth]

free swimming does NOT equate to a healthy lifestyle...that stops as soon as they get out of the water and head for the fat/sugar laden vending machines!!!

everyone can surely pay for their own swimming....and gym/tennis/footbal etc

[ShatnersBassoon]

I'm glad it's being scrapped. Not to say I haven't been taking advantage of it, just there are thousands like me that would go swimming whether it's free or not for the children.

It's a non-essential Govt spend.

[Bramshott]

I think it was a good policy and it would have been nice to see it retained, at least for those on low incomes etc.

[upahill]

I think it is an Idealistic policy. I like the idea but realistically we are in a recession, the money from these schemes cost. LA's are having their budgets cut by millions with more cuts happening in October.

This is a non essential spend.Frontline staff in education, social services etc are losing their jobs every day.

Sure it is a great idea if the economy is bouyant but it isn't. Please keep it real. If people want to stay fit for free or next to nothing go for a walk round one of the parks most cities have, take an exercise dvd out of the libray, dust an old bicycle down and get peddling but while times are hard don't expect the government to pay for your fitness. Take responsibilty for yourself.

[littleducks]

I'm glad its being scrapped too, it was unevenly distributed, with some areas benefiting and others not, i actually meant i couldnt take my daughter swimming and had to pay for lessons so didnt benefit me

[chantal32]

Thanks for all your replies. I still believe it should not be ablolished. The
£65 million spent on the scheme over a year is a drop in the ocean where our deficit as a country is concerned. It could even be scaled back to still ensure the most vulnerable/low income groups get to benefit. For instance if you are in receipt of: disability benefits; income support; if you have a learning disability that requires you to live in supported living accomodation;elderly and children under 5. My Mp very kindly replied to say he agrees with me, but then he would as he is a labour MP. In terms of necessary cutbacks as mentioned by some above, I can think of a few e.g. Nuclear weapons - but that's another discussion altogether

[werewolf]

But, as I understand it, it was only going to be for 2 years anyway, wasn't it?

Cynically, for the last 2 years of the previous government.

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

So, would you like museums to reintroduce their admission charges? (The free ones in London.) What with cuts and culture not being a "need".

I think it's easy to say you'd have spent the money on swimming anyway because you value it blah, blah, blah. Some people don't have the money to spend on it and maybe don't even value it. It's their children who are missing out. You're more likely to go for an hour now and again if it's free (and parents still pay, don't forget) then if you have to pay. Perhaps means tested as someone suggested. Although the way the cuts are going everyone will qualify shortly.

As Private Eye said: "You've never had it so bad!" as the motto for the coalition.

[trice]

I am not a believer in the swimming as exercise thing though. I think you get a better workout walking to the shops. I agree that all children should be taught to swim for safety, but after that it really is a luxury.

cut away

[mummytime]

There was no free swims around here anyhow. I would like admission charges re-introduced at least some of the time, as by the time I get to the Natural History Museum for example the queues are too long, and we waste the fares and go somewhere else.