RENFREWSHIRE KIDS LEFT BEHIND ON FREE SWIMMING

- New stats show Scottish children are being denied free swimming that is open to children south of the border -

Even though free swimming for under-16s was a flagship manifesto promise for the SNP, they have failed to implement it and withdrawn the promise.

But figures just released show the success of the policy in England, where Labour introduced it three months ago. The statistics from the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport show that since April 2009: 

• more than 1,000 swimming pools in England now offer free swimming to under 16s
• nearly 3 million free swims for kids have happened in the last three months
• over 250 councils now take part – compared with just 2 in Scotland

Glasgow and Inverclyde – both Labour councils – are the only Scottish councils to do this. The SNP promised in their manifesto to offer free swimming for under 16s – but last month SNP health minister Shona Robison withdrew the offer saying it was not a matter for her.

Local MSP Wendy Alexander said:

“Whilst children across England are being offered free access to council swimming pools, the SNP are holding Scottish kids back. Regardless of a family’s income, our youngsters deserve the opportunity to take part in sport.

“The contrast couldn’t be starker. Labour councils like Inverclyde are leading the way and showing the country how it is done – but the SNP can’t even look and learn.”