Right to Swim

HUGH ROBERTSON TABLES COMMONS MOTION ABOUT PARENTAL SUPERVISION IN SWIMMING POOLS

Hugh Robertson, the Shadow Minister for Sport and MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, has tabled a Commons Motion condemning the government’s new rules on supervision of children in swimming pools.

The motion expresses concern about guidelines introduced on 1st May that prevent parents taking more than one child under the age of four years or two children under the age of eight years into a public swimming pool at any time.

Along with the Right to Swim Campaign, Hugh Robertson is very concerned about the effects that this will have on single parents and large families, on young children learning to swim and the ability of children to take exercise.

Hugh said: “I urge the Government to intervene with the Health and Safety Executive and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management to relax this ruling which discriminates against large families and single parents.

“Without intervention from the government swimming pools have no option but to comply with these guidelines or risk being sued.”