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Swimming Pools: Schools

Asked by Vikki SladeLiberal DemocratDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 3 September 2026UIN 25143

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will takes steps to introduce dedicated swimming pool funding for schools.

Answered by Department for Education

The government is committed to ensuring that no child leaves primary school without the capability and confidence to keep themselves safe in and around water.

Schools receive funding for curriculum provision, which includes swimming and water safety lessons. While there is no dedicated funding for swimming pools, the department provided £2.1 billion of capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year to improve the condition of the school estate, which includes sports facilities and school swimming pools, up from £1.8 billion committed for the 2024/25 financial year. This will rise in line with inflation to around £2.3 billion in 2029/30, over £400 million more than in 2024/25.

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