Children in deprived areas in England are to be offered free swimming as one of nine pilot community schemes aimed at increasing access to physical activity and sport in low-income areas. The 2.5m programme was announced last week by health minister Yvette Cooper at the NHS 'Taking Action' physical activity conference. She said, 'Evidence shows us that unskilled manual workers are three times less likely to participate in sport than professionals. Taking exercise isn't so easy if you can't afford the entrance fee, there's no bus to get there or no parks nearby. Yet increasing access to exercise could save hundreds of lives each year by helping to tackle coronary heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes as well as improving overall health.' The two-year pilot schemes are being developed with Sport England and the Countryside Agency.
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