The government has made the decision to axe free swimming for under-16s and over-60s. The government says cancelling the programme will save £40m. The initiative will formally close on 31 July, though local authorities can carry on the scheme if they want to fund it themselves. Though the government insists the programme "was not providing best value for money", figures from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport show that for the 16 and under category, there were almost 50% more new swimmers since Labour introduced the programme just over a year ago.I am torn about this situation, because it is a good thing that the programme helped with getting more children interested in swimming, but the government has to cut back on some things. Almost every country is in debt right now and need to cut back on certain areas. If they do not cut back on this, then on what else? The police perhaps, education ect. It does not really matter what they will cut back on, because there will always be people who will get is worse because of the cut backs. Also, the entry fee is only £1.90.
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/18/end-free-swimming-children-over-60s
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