Hansard

On behalf of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, I thank colleagues across the chamber for their thoughtful contributions to the debate. I also thank the committee clerks and the Scottish Parliament information centre for their assistance throughout our consideration of the petition.

This is not the first time that the Parliament has discussed swimming pools, but I trust that today’s debate can take us a few steps closer to some much-needed changes in the national approach to the issue. I put on the record my thanks to the petitioner and Scottish Swimming. They have been passionate and very clear about why we must do everything that we can to help to keep swimming pools open. We can all agree that although not everyone can be the next Olympic swimmer, everyone can learn to swim as long as pools are affordable, accessible and available to all.

I whole-heartedly agree with the view of the convener, Liz Smith, Beatrice Wishart, Fulton MacGregor and many other speakers that the impact of pool closures is felt across communities in Scotland and that it affects many people’s chances to survive and thrive.

First, the issue at the core of the petition affects Scotland’s young people and their chances to learn life-saving skills as well as to develop a lifelong habit of being active. Secondly, it is about Scotland’s sportspeople and their chance to become decorated Olympic athletes, whether in swimming or in sports such as water polo, kayaking and diving. Last but not least, it is about swimming being the only chance for some Scots to stay active and healthy. Swimming is a low-impact type of exercise, and it can be the only sustainable physical activity for many people, due to reasons of age, health or ability.

The availability of swimming pools in communities can have an impact on various sectors of public life. It could even be argued that ensuring their continued availability and accessibility is a matter of public health. I will focus on the benefits of swimming for people over the age of 65 and why that matters in Scotland.

Swimming is one of the safest and most effective forms of exercise for older adults. Because the water supports the body, there is very little strain on joints and bones, which makes swimming ideal for those who live with arthritis, joint pain or reduced mobility. That gentle resistance builds muscle strength and improves flexibility without the risk of falling, which is a key advantage for maintaining independence as we age. We know that physical activity matters, yet only 55 per cent of adults in Scotland aged 65 to 74 currently meet the recommended activity levels, and that number drops further after the age of 75, especially among women.

Beyond the physical benefits, swimming boosts mental wellbeing. The water’s calming effect reduces stress and can improve mood and sleep quality. For many older adults who are at risk of loneliness, regular swimming sessions also provide valuable opportunities for social interaction. In short, swimming is not just an exercise; it is a powerful tool for health, happiness and quality of life as we grow older. That area was well covered by Liz Smith and Brian Whittle.

In addition, the petitioner has presented us with evidence that regular swimming plays a major role in the prevention and management of a multitude of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, strokes and heart disease. The petitioner has argued that swimming can contribute to important public health savings in cost and resource.

However, swimming pools are not a priority only for Scottish Swimming. We also heard evidence that demonstrates undeniable national support for our swimming pools. A survey by JL Partners showed that 95 per cent of Scottish people believe that swimming pools are important for safety; 88 per cent see them as community assets; 87 per cent believe that they are important for Scotland as a sporting nation; 86 per cent said that they are important for health benefits; and 69 per cent believe that they are important for social interaction. It is the committee’s strong hope that the Scottish Government now also sees swimming pools as a priority and does all that it can to help to keep them open.

A whole list of speakers, including Liz Smith, Beatrice Wishart, Fulton MacGregor, Alex Rowley and Paul Sweeney, spoke about primary school swimming lessons, the curriculum for excellence and how important learning to swim is for safety, and I hope that the Government takes that point on board, as it is a really valuable one.

To speak from my own experience, as Brian Whittle did, as a youngster I learned to swim in Bowhill swimming pool, close to Alex Rowley. The best bit about it was the chips, going home, from my mum and dad. Those swimming lessons were much needed in the area that I lived in, which was surrounded by water. It was very important that we learned to swim at primary school.

Liz Smith, Maggie Chapman and Patrick Harvie mentioned the value of swimming pools and their importance to communities, and Paul Sweeney and others made comments about building national resilience by investing in swimming pools—sustainably, which is important when it comes to things such as energy costs—and I hope that the Government will take that point on board, because there are many new technologies out there that we can take on board to reduce costs.

As witnesses to the committee have shown, and as many members have pointed out, spending in that area must be seen as an investment and not a cost. In the words of Ben Lamb:

“It is not just about asking for money; it is about asking for smarter investment and a different way of doing things because, frankly, without that, further closures are inevitable.”—[Official Report, Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, 23 April 2025; c 36.]

The petitioner and Scottish Swimming have pursued the action that is called for in the petition for almost three years, in a thorough and determined manner. Our committee’s role is to give a voice to petitioners, and there are many ways in which we can do that. By bringing the debate to the chamber today, we are hopeful that we can prompt the Government to take action to support Scotland’s swimming pools to ensure their survival in the long term.

I will conclude with the petitioner’s words:

“Saving swimming pools is critical. They are lifelines for communities, clubs, individuals and families who rely on them for physical and mental health and general wellbeing. Swimming is more than a sport. It is an opportunity to create a safer, healthier and active Scotland.”