The Free Swimming Scheme for Children and Pensioners

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:24 pm on 30 January 2019.

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Photo of Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Independent 2:24, 30 January 2019

I am grateful for the support from my present colleague, Mike Hedges, on this issue. I'm very keen to see the response to the activity of Sport Wales in assessing the first report that it has produced, and there has been a sub-group—the free swimming initiative steering group—on which local authorities, Swim Wales and Welsh Government are represented, which has been undertaking this work. I have had discussions with some members of that board already and I hope to consider their report to me as soon as I receive it. Welsh Government has contributed some £30 million towards the free swimming programme. As I said earlier in response to Mohammad Asghar, there are no plans to scrap free swimming for either the 16-and-under age group or the over-60s. However, there are issues surrounding the effectiveness of the scheme, which are set out very clearly in the reports I've already received, and as soon as I have some information I will make a further statement to Members.