Public and private swimming pools in Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

1. How many swimming pools are there in total in the UK? Please share a breakdown of private and public swimming pools.
2. How many private swimming pools are there in each country that make up the UK?
3. What is the cost of energy bills for private swimming pools in Scotland for each year, over the last 3 years?
4. How many private swimming pools in the UK have closed since January 2020?
5. Out of the total number of private swimming pools in the UK that have closed since January 2020, which country (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland) has the highest number of closures? Please share the figures.
6. What is the number of pools available in Scotland between 2020 and the end of 2022?
7. According to your data, what is the biggest factor in the closure of private pools in Scotland?
8. Is the Scottish government providing any funding to mitigate this problem?

Response

Please note that in reference to questions 1 to 7 the Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact sportscotland at FOI@sportscotland.org.uk who may be able to help you.

In response to question 8. Is the Scottish Government providing any funding to mitigate this problem?

We are fully aware that energy costs are an issue facing many sports facilities and recognise the particular challenges for local authorities in maintaining swimming pools and other facilities during this time. Given the limited levers available to us, the Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to act on the cost of living and energy prices, in order to address the problem at source.

Our settlements from the UK Government have suffered a decade of austerity. In the most challenging budget settlement since devolution, we are providing over £13.3bn in the Local Government Settlement 2023-24. We are increasing the resources available to Local Government by over £670 million. Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.