The KLPA recently sent out a survey to members and beyond, to investigate the impact, so far, of the compulsory swimming charges introduced in 2020. We asked some questions about changes in economic status over the last year, as the impact of the pandemic could not be ignored. We also asked respondents, voluntarily, to provide information about “protected characteristics” under the Equality Act such as ethnicity or disability. This is because the KLPA and the other swimmers’ associations are continuing to investigate the potential for discrimination claims arising from the new swimming charges.
The survey results have revealed the dramatic impact of the new swimming charges and the economic distress being experienced by many swimmers. The City of London has to date failed to introduce the promised support scheme and our survey results helped to reveal the complexities of need which would need to be addressed by such a scheme. Some headline figures of interest include:
1. The new charges have affected affordability for 58.33% of respondents.
2. Of those, 24.58% said they could no longer afford to swim, and 26.49% said they could not afford the upfront cost of a season ticket. 8.83% of respondents had been helped by friends or relatives to pay for tickets.
3. Half of all respondents had seen their income decline over the last year.
4. Respondents included 29.5% who were self-employed and 18% who were retired. A total of 16.84% of respondents received either means tested benefits or Covid-19 related support payments. A further 7.83% were either not entitled to such benefits or had no recourse to public funds.
5. Unfortunately, 34% of respondents have been prevented by the new charges from swimming with family members and there has been an impact on accessing a safe space for 35.83% of respondents.
6. A disability was declared by 11.33% of respondents.
7. Just 33.17% of respondents lived in Camden so any support scheme yet to be developed by the City of London will need to take into account swimmers coming to the ponds from further afield.
8. Only three respondents live within the Square Mile so could hold any City of London representatives “democratically” accountable.
A full summary of the results can be seen here. We will be contacting those swimmers who provided contact details shortly.
Thank you to everyone who completed the most recent survey, it has helped us to understand better what the impact has been so far of the compulsory swimming charges.
Earlier in the week members were updated on proposed increases to swimming charges in 2021, and following an opinion poll of members about this prospect in December 2020, the KLPA has already made its objections to the price rises clear, and will continue to do so.
Last week’s edition of Ham & High (14 January 2021) was full of Hampstead Heath business. The budget row at the City of London is reported here and here. Former KLPA Chair Nicky Mayhew has been busy again responding to disinformation from the Chair of the Management Committee (Anne Fairweather) in the letters page. Finally there is a report here about the Hampstead Heath Act of 1871 which has protected the Heath from private development, so far.
The Camden New Journal has just reported further on the proposed budget cuts on 21 January 2021 here.