SNP attacked over free swimming Scottish Labour has decried the Scottish National Party (SNP) for failing to provide school children with ‘free, year-round access to council swimming pools’.

The party’s sport spokesman, Frank McAveety, said: “The Scottish government needs to start taking sport seriously. It is really important that we encourage young people to adopt healthier lifestyles and swimming is a great activity.

“Giving every child in Scotland the opportunity to enjoy sport should also be part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.”

Since gaining power 18 months ago, SNP sports minister Stewart Maxwell has struggled to commit to his manifesto pledge of ensuring that all children have free year-round access to council swimming pools, in a bid to encourage a healthier and fitter future for the Scottish population.

Only two Scottish council swimming pools — Labour-run Glasgow and Inverclyde — provide free year-round access to under 16s, while Edinburgh City Council offers free access to under fives and up to S1 only and East Renfrewshire and Fife provide free access during the school holidays.

Dumfries and Galloway did provide free access until cut by the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon responded: “We are 20 months into a four-year term, and are working through our manifesto.”

“We are working with local government to develop policy in areas where local government has a key interest, including our ambitions for swimming.

“Since securing the 2014 Commonwealth Games, we are now also consulting on how to achieve the best possible sporting legacy to deliver long-term health benefits for the nation, and that is also a vital piece of work in progress.

“Indeed, the first legacy announcements have been support for a new 50m pool in Aberdeen, and an extra £1m to help refurbish Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool.”

McAveety added: “I accept that the SNP’s budget settlement has put Scottish local authorities under financial pressure, but ensuring that children have access to swimming pools should be a priority.

“Maxwell needs to step-in with the resources to make it happen.”