Swimming pools are a necessity for the health of the nation, says The Swimming Alliance

The Swimming Alliance has been working with parliamentarians to highlight the importance of school swimming and to raise awareness of the impact of pool closures. Following a debate in parliament on the topic, The Swimming Alliance shares their response

Outdoor Swimmer Magazine is part of The Swimming Alliance, a collaborative group of more than 25 leading national organisations united to address the urgent and systemic challenges facing swimming and aquatic participation across the UK. We advocate for equity, sustainability, and strategic investment in swimming as a life-saving skill, public health priority, and national development asset.

The Swimming Alliance has been working with parliamentarians to highlight the importance of school swimming and to raise awareness of the impact of pool closures. Following a debate in parliament on the topic, the Swimming Alliance released the statement below:

The Swimming Alliance has welcomed yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate on government support for swimming facilities, recognising it as an important step in addressing the urgent challenges facing the UK’s aquatic infrastructure.

The debate, held on 4 June 2025, highlighted the critical role swimming pools play in public health, education, and community wellbeing. MPs from across the political spectrum acknowledged the alarming decline in swimming provision, with over 1,200 pools having closed since 2010 and nearly a quarter of local authorities now lacking the pool space they need.

Concerning new analysis reveals that 76% of the publicly accessible water space lost in the past 15 years has disappeared since 2020, highlighting the escalating crisis facing the sector.

Debbie Kaye, Chair of the Swimming Alliance, said: “We are encouraged by the recognition in Parliament yesterday of the essential role swimming pools play in our society. From teaching children life-saving skills to supporting NHS rehabilitation services, swimming pools are not a luxury—they are a necessity for the health and wellbeing of the nation.”

The Swimming Alliance contacted MPs ahead of the debate to repeat the Alliance’s call for investment in leisure infrastructure. With two-thirds of facilities beyond their expected lifespan and operating costs continuing to rise, the current model is unsustainable. Without urgent action, more communities will lose access to swimming, exacerbating health inequalities and undermining national efforts to promote physical activity.

Whether it is promoting economic growth by reducing the burden of ill health, offering opportunities for children to learn a vital life skill or providing a space for families to enjoy quality time together it is clear that swimming pools make a huge contribution to the health and happiness of the country. This is reflected in the fact that swimming remains one of the most popular activities – enjoyed by 12.5 million adults each year.

During the debate the Minister for Sport Stephanie Peacock MP said: “Across the country, there is a direct correlation between increased activity levels and the number of accessible facilities that are safe, inclusive and affordable on offer. We must therefore ensure that these spaces are both present and accessible as a key part of getting people active and thereby tackling health inequalities. Whether through team sports, gym classes or children’s swimming lessons, these spaces can create a sense of pride in place and improved community cohesion.

“We appreciate the huge contribution that publicly accessible sport and leisure facilities make to health and wellbeing. My Department will continue to look at ways to support such thinking, as we look ahead to future policy around community sport and leisure facilities and their contribution towards genuinely tackling inactivity and inequalities. I am hugely passionate about that agenda, and I know that being physically active and playing sport genuinely changes lives. Hon. Members have made really important contributions; we can see how much people care about this issue up and down the country from how well-attended the debate has been. I thank Members for taking part.”

Simon Griffiths, founder and publisher of Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, added: “While our focus is on outdoor swimming, we recognise the fundamental importance of school swimming and pool infrastructure. Too many young lives are lost to accidental drowning, and too few people are able to access the fitness and wellbeing benefits of outdoor swimming. It was therefore positive to hear the Minister recognise the crucial role swimming pools play in communities up and down the country. It’s now important that those words are backed up with practical support.”