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<p>We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools
and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The
responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government
continues to encourage Local Authorities to support swimming facilities.</p><p>We
appreciate the impact rising energy prices will have on organisations of all sizes,
including on leisure operators. In September the government announced the Energy Bill
Relief Scheme, under which businesses and other non-domestic energy users (including
swimming pools) will be offered support. The EBRS is currently under review to ensure
support is targeted to the most vulnerable sectors.</p><p>Officials in my department
are in regular contact with representatives from the sector to assess the impact of
rising energy costs, and how operators such as Greenwich Leisure and local authorities
are responding to them.</p><p>Sport England has invested £12,775,274 in swimming and
diving projects since April 2019, which includes £9,360,002 to Swim England. This
is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund, which supported
the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic.</p><p>
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