4. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:57 pm on 17 January 2017.

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Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 2:57, 17 January 2017

Leader of the house, could I please request a statement from the Welsh Government on the policy for providing free swimming for children? It is now 10 years since the policy of free swimming for children was rolled out in Wales, which is perhaps a good time for us to reflect upon the policy. Free swimming has been important in providing access to leisure opportunities, to tackle obesity or poor activity rates—themes I have often covered—but also in terms of social justice. However, 10 years on, there are questions now relating to take-up, with data from Free Swimming Wales showing a 19 per cent decrease in the number of free public swims during August and September 2016, compared to the previous year. A statement from Welsh Government would give us the chance to consider this but also to expand and think about ways to reinvigorate the policy, for example, perhaps by linking in with the free swimming for veterans and military personnel, to create family leisure opportunities.