Swimming Set To Be Free For All

The UK government is set to announce the first steps towards making admission to public swimming pools free for all age ranges by the time of the London 2012 Olympics.
 
The initial move will see entry to public swimming pools become free for those in the over-60s bracket with the proposals to be expanded to include all age groups by the London 2012 Games.

The initiative will be outlined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown as part of a bid to encourage greater participation in sport ahead of London 2012.

The government said authorities would get £80m next year to scrap over-60s’ charges and £50m for the pools’ upkeep.

In a media interview, Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary Andy Burnham compared the plan to Labour’s introduction of free admission to museums and galleries in 1997.

Burnham indicated fees would be waived in stages, with the next round of funds giving free entry to under-16s.

‘The big vision here is that in the same way that museums and galleries were made free, we want, in a focused and progressive way, to remove entry charges for swimming.’
 
The Prime Minister will also publish the government’s plan detailing how it believes the legacy of the 2012 Games will boost sport, the regeneration of east London, business, tourism and jobs.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: ‘There is something for everyone in our plans – every part of the country, every section of the population.’