'The Fight Continues to Bring Back Free Swimming in Medway' - say the Liberal Democrats

The Medway Liberal Democrats are deeply disappointed that Labour voted to end free child swimming in Medway during the budget meeting on 29th February, despite cross party calls saying it will harm the more financially disadvantaged families in Medway the most. However, our party vows that this is not the end, and will continue to fight for the health of our children.

Labour claimed that they just did not have the money to continue to fund free swimming for children. Yet a recent Freedom of Information request made by us revealed that on average over the last 2 years, 10420 children used their passes each year. This means at most, this is a saving of roughly £54,000, which is a small amount in the council budget of over a half a billion pounds. Our calculations show that since an adults swimming with children must pay full price unless 60% continue to attend then the Council will lose more money than they save. And if none of those families return, the Council is set to lose about £78,000 in revenues.

Stuart Bourne, Lib Dem candidate for Gillingham Rainham, says ‘We respectfully asked Medway Labour to listen to their conscience and consider the health of the poorest children in Medway. Sadly they responded with cheap insults, and voted against it. This issue is too important to let it end like this. We will continue to fight to bring back free swimming.’

Ending free swimming for children does not make financial sense and it risks the health of some the most deprived children in Medway. The Medway Lib Dems will continue to demand that it is reinstated so that we not paying the price of this decision with the health and safety of our children.

ENDS