The DCMS has rebutted claims made by Roger Millward, chief executive of the Swimming Teachers' Association (STA), that suggested the government's free swimming scheme would not benefit people who cannot already swim.

Millward accused the government of ignoring people who cannot swim when drawing up details for the £140m free swimming scheme.

"We think that widening access to those who cannot already swim has been fundamentally missed from the initiative," he said.

"Our biggest concern is how the government has failed to consult with stakeholders involved in swimming in its widest context, including the STA which represents a significant percentage of the swimming teaching profession in the UK."

A DCMS spokesperson, however, denied the claims. He told Leisure Opportunities: "Swimming lessons for those people who cannot swim is part of the £140m free swimming package. We consulted widely on the free swimming offer with Sport England, the Local Government Association, the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers' Association and the Amateur Swimming Association.

"Of course we'd be happy to speak with Roger Millward and see how the Swimming Teachers' Association can help."

Millward made his comments shortly after the DCMS announced that more than 80 per cent of local authorities had met the 15 September deadline and signed up to take part in the free swimming scheme.

In total, 300 out of 354 local authorities have confirmed that they will offer free swimming to over 60s between 2009 and 2011, while 296 have expressed their interest in doing the same for the under 16s.

Graham Farrant, chief executive of Leisure Connection, which operates public leisure centres on behalf of councils, said more work should be done to encourage all local authorities to take part.

"I support the framework in which the initiative will operate, but it's a shame to see some local authorities opting out of this scheme," he said.

"Admittedly the funding only lasts for two years – and some councils would argue that it’s not sustainable past this – but we believe that we should be taking advantage of the now and using the next 24 months to think outside the box and working to establish partnerships with the private sector, which might be able to support with the funding."

Arrangements for the £140m free swimming scheme were developed across government with the help of organisations including Sport England and the Amateur Swimming Association.

The proposals to introduce free swimming for all by 2012 are a part of legacy plans for the London Olympics, which are being funded by a number of government departments including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Starting in 2009, the funding will initially seek to encourage local authorities to make swimming free for over-60s and under-16s with the aim of extending the scheme further within the next four years.