A coalition including the Local Government Association (LGA) has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warning of the ‘final straw’ for many gyms, pools and clubs.
Leisure services and swimming pools have not been given access to the Government’s higher level of discount on energy prices and the LGA has said it expected 40% of council areas will be hit by reduced services before the end of March ‘without the Government’s support’.
The group warned the current approach will have ‘incredibly damaging consequences for our national health and prosperity’ as it made an ‘urgent plea’ for the Government to ‘think again and provide the necessary support to the sport, recreation and physical activity sector’.
Ministers have said providing access to public leisure facilities was the responsibility of councils and the Government encouraged them to ‘invest in this’.
