Guildford Liberal Democrats: Conservative MP must back our call in Parliament for more Energy Bill Support for Sports and Leisure facilities
CEO of Freedom Leisure, which runs Spectrum Leisure Centre, warns: "Difficult decisions" lie ahead without action.
Guildford Liberal Democrats are urging Conservative MP Angela Richardson to support the Liberal Democrat call in Parliament for more energy support for leisure facilities, as Freedom Leisure, operating Guildford's Spectrum Leisure Centre, warns: "we simply do not have the reserves to cope with these unprecedented costs."
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Guildford, Zöe Franklin: "The fabric of our communities is unravelling because of Conservative Cuts."
"Local sports and leisure facilities are vital resources not just for our health and wellbeing but also for the part they play in bringing people together.
Not only has the Government failed to recognise their value to our communities, but it has also failed to appreciate the costs and challenges involved in keeping these resources running for us.
After nearly 13 years of the Conservative government, it is heartbreaking to see the fabric of our communities unravelling because of Conservative cuts and their disastrous mismanagement of our economy.
Guildford's Conservative MP must support our call in Parliament for her Chancellor to rethink this plan before it's too late."
Cuts to Energy Bill Support
- From April, the Government is cutting the amount of support businesses, charities and public sector organisations get to meet their energy bills.
- "Non-domestic" energy customers will get a discount on wholesale prices, instead of their costs being capped as they are under the current scheme.
- Heavy energy-using "Energy Intensive" sectors will get a larger discount than others.
- Sports and Leisure facilities aren't included and will drop to "basic" support.
- The Liberal Democrat motion in Parliament calls for the sector to be included in the "Energy Intensive" category and get the maximum help.
Warnings of long-term harm to health and wellbeing and pressure on the NHS as Spectrum's operator sees annual energy bills increase by 150%
Freedom Leisure operates the Spectrum on behalf of Guildford Borough Council. It's one of the UK's leading not-for-profit charitable leisure and cultural trusts.
In a public statement, CEO Ivan Horsfall Turner says Freedom Leisure has seen its annual energy bill more than double, from £8 million a year to £20 million.
He warns that without change, the cuts will have a long-term detrimental effect on the Nation's health and well-being and will increase pressure on the NHS.
Councillor James Steel, Guildford Liberal Democrat Leisure and Environment Spokesperson:
"Mr Horsfall Turner is mystified as to why the Government doesn't think that running a public swimming pool or leisure centre should qualify for the "energy intensive" tier of help. I couldn't agree more.
These cuts have not been thought through. Neither has the impact they will have on businesses and their staff and also on the communities they serve.
Guildford Liberal Democrats are committed to helping our wonderful town thrive and we value greatly the vital role the Spectrum Leisure centre and other facilities play in making Guildford such a special place to live.
The Government must give them the help they need."
The Early Day Motion has been tabled in Parliament by Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson. It has been signed by a cross-party coalition of MPs.
It calls on the Government to expand its Energy Bill Discount scheme to give maximum support to sports facilities, including swimming pools and leisure centres.
Notes to Editors:
Energy support for sports facilities EDM (Early Day Motion) 779: tabled on 19 January 2023, Tabled in the 2022-23 session.
This motion has been signed by 14 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.
Motion text:
That this House notes with concern that sports facilities, including swimming pools and leisure centres, have been excluded from the list of sectors entitled to greatest support under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme; is pleased to note that cultural institutions, such as libraries, museums and botanical gardens have been included in the list of Energy and Trade Intensive Industries eligible for the higher level of support but is disappointed that sports facilities have not; further notes that the disparity in the level of support is significant, with discounts for electricity nearly five times greater for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries than other sectors and a discount on gas nearly six times higher; notes that the price thresholds for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries to receive this support is also lower than other sectors for both gas and electricity; welcomes comments by the Minister for Sport that he will be holding a roundtable with industry stakeholders to discuss further support, but considers it not enough; and calls for the definition of Energy and Trade Intensive Industries to be expanded to include sports facilities, such as swimming pools and leisure centres, in the scheme for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries.
Sources:
Freedom Leisure Statement from CEO Ivan Horsfall Turner:
"Freedom Leisure CEO frustrated by Treasury announcement on Energy Bill Discount Scheme"