End of free swimming for the over 60s

Letter sent to the 3 local MPs for Brighton Pavilion, Brighton Kemptown and Hove, September 2010

Dear Member of Parliament

We are sure that the Brighton & Hove Older People’s Council is not alone in noting with great concern the decision by the Government to withdraw funding nationwide for free swimming for older people.

We are of course very much aware that there are significant financial problems in the country at present and that there is a government determination to tackle this problem by reducing costs both nationally and within local authorities.

Nevertheless we write to urge you to oppose in every way possible this retrograde policy which may save a relatively small amount of money in the short term, but will incur substantial additional long term costs for our futures.

It is widely acknowledged that we have a growing population of older people, and also that it is in everyone’s interest that older people are encouraged to keep themselves fit and active. Swimming is seen as an excellent way for older people both to keep fit and to reduce their need for medical support since this form of regular exercise is gentle on older frames and beneficial for their long term well-being. Keeping active will help reduce social isolation and also contributes significantly to warding off mental illnesses such as depression, and alzheimers and other dementias.

The Government initiative, introduced in April 2009, to offer free swimming to under 16s and the over 60s was a landmark moment in the bid for a healthier and more active nation. Building on the Olympic investment legacy, it enabled many to engage more often in one of the most popular participation sports, keep fit, tackle weight problems and save money in the long term for the NHS.

The cost to national and local budgets of providing free swimming for older people are minimal, while the financial benefits for the community of keeping people fit and active for as long as possible are huge, well documented and unquestioned. Already some local authorities have undertaken to maintain this valuable service to support the well-being of their local older communities (eg the London Borough of Newham), and we urge you to do your utmost to protect the interest of older people. And as much as we support the continuing provision of free swimming in Brighton & Hove for young people under 11, it is difficult to remain silent in the face of what appears to be age discrimination if an identical free service is withdrawn from older residents, for whom the health and social benefits are equally important.

Please support free swimming programmes for older people, and oppose short-sighted policies which threaten this valuable service and increase the health risks and cost of care for the older population

Yours sincerely

John Barry
Secretary, Brighton & Hove Older People’s Council