Right to swim

HUGH ROBERTSON SUPPORTS PARENTS' RIGHT TO SWIM

Hugh Robertson has attacked the government again over regulations restricting the number of children allowed into a swimming pool under the supervision of one parent. New rules introduced by two government bodies, the Health and Safety Executive and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management, on 1 May last year have meant that adults can only take 2 children under eight or 1 child under four into a swimming pool at any one time – thus excluding large or single parent families.

The issue was highlighted last year in both Faversham and Maidstone. During an election visit to Kent, the Prime Minister was tackled over the issue and promised to sort it out. To date, the restrictions have not been lifted.

Hugh has tabled an Early Day Motion as follows:-

PARENTAL SUPERVISION IN SWIMMING POOLS That this House notes that the current guidance for the Health and Safety Executive and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management on parental supervision of children in swimming pools is leading many pools to exclude children, particularly from single parent or large families; observes that learning to swim is a key skill for the safety and health of all children; and urges the Government to take action to lift the restrictions and ensure that all children have access to swimming pools.

Hugh Robertson said: “This is now a simple case of the Prime Minister breaking a promise made during the election and I intend to hold him to his word.

“It is quite wrong that children should be excluded from a swimming pool purely because they come from a large or single parent family.

“Swimming is good for children’s health, fun for families to take part in together and, critically, is a life saving skill. I want all children to have the opportunity to swim.”