Islington's top for free swimming (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Islington's top for free swimming

August 11, 2009 5:48 PM

Cllrs Ursula Wooley and Ruth Polling at Archway pool

Lib Dem leisure chief Councillor Ruth Polling visiting Archway Pool with Councillor Ursula Woolley and her sons.

Islington is the top place to live in London if you want to swim for free, with more under 16s and over 60s swimming for free than anywhere else in London, according to new figures released by City Hall. Islington's Liberal Democrat leaders are thrilled that so many people, young and old, took advantage of free swimming - which the council stepped in to fund after the Labour Government failed to live up to its promise to pay.

Nearly 33,500 free swims were taken up by under 16s and over 60s in the last year in Islington, the second highest number in London. According to new figures from the GLA, only Wandsworth had more, with over 40,000 - but for a population of over 100,000 more people than Islington's. Neighbouring boroughs were left behind in the shallow end when it came to offering free swimming session to their residents, with 11,000 in Haringey, 8,000 in Hackney, and 6,000 in Camden.

Under 16s and over-60s can swim for free at all of Islington Council's pools: Archway leisure centre, Caledonian Pool, Highbury Pool, and Ironmonger Row Baths.

Local authorities all over the country found that they couldn't offer any free swimming when the Government's money came up short. Some only offered it to old age pensioners, making young people pay. Others gave young and old people more limited free access. Islington is alone among inner-London boroughs to not only offer free swimming to young and old, but to go all out to encourage them to take it up in huge numbers.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ursula Woolley said:

"I'm really delighted that so many people, young and old, have taken advantage of the free swimming on offer in Islington - I've certainly been glad to use the free swimming with my sons this summer."

"We went all out in trying to get people to take up the free swimming. The Council stepped in to fund the scheme after the Government's funding came up ridiculously short. Gordon Brown made a flashy announcement about Labour's commitment to getting people active, but in terms of funding it was just totally inadequate.

"It was only because of the Liberal Democrats' sound financial management that we were able to step in to fund free swimming and make it such an amazing success."