Latest swimming figures show participation progress

The Government has published the latest figures on free swimming which show that 5.9 million people took up free swimming throughout July, August and September, an increase from 4.5 million since the first quarter in April. Sport England administers funding to upgrade Local Authority swimming pools as part of the free swimming programme, ensuring pools are equipped to engage more people.

Commenting on the success of the scheme the Secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport Ben Bradshaw said "This scheme is part of the 2012 ‘dividend’ – a scheme inspired by our success in winning the right to stage the Olympics and Paralympics – and is going from strength to strength.”