Further savings announced

Posted on June 29th, 2010 by admin.
Categories: Victorblog.

“We are facing an unprecedented financial situation in this country, and it is essential that we act now to reduce the country’s debt,” said Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.

“We have examined a number of schemes to determine whether they remain a Government priority, value for money, and affordable in the current economic climate.

“This has involved some incredibly difficult decisions, but the cultural and sporting worlds, like everyone else, urgently need the country’s finances to be returned to a sustainable position.”

Projects for which funding is being cancelled include:

free swimming for those aged 16 and under and over 60
the planned Stonehenge Visitor Centre
the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Centre
A number of other schemes have also been cancelled.

Free Swimming Programme
New research which shows that this scheme has not delivered value for money, so funding will end this summer.

“This is not a decision that gives me any pleasure,” said Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and Olympics. “However, the research shows that the great majority of free swimmers were swimming already, and would have paid to swim anyway. With a crippling deficit to tackle and tough decisions to take, this has become a luxury we can no longer afford.”

Cancelling this programme will save £5 million, as part of a total saving of £40 million from the Free Swimming Programme funding across Government.

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