This letter written by a coalition of more than 200 bodies and individuals* from the worlds of health, sport, recreation, and leisure was written to the Prime Minister with an urgent plea for greater support for grassroots facilities and clubs amid the ongoing energy crisis. With energy costs relief for the UK’s swimming pools, leisure centres, community facilities, and gyms ending on 31 March, thousands of facilities and clubs are at risk of permanent closure or reduced services, as public and private sector organisations of all sizes face unprecedented financial challenges with bills remaining up to 200% higher than normal. Within the letter, the coalition calls for the Government to: (1) Reclassify swimming pools as energy intensive as part of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, (2) Set out what tangible support it will provide to the wider sector to help navigate the energy crisis across 2023 and (3) Set out a “plan for the growth” for the sector by aligning the proposed new Sports Strategy with the Spring Budget.
