Local MP Munira Wilson, has challenged the government over its failure to include beloved community idols, such as the 100-year-old Hampton Pool, within its list of sectors entitled to the greatest support in its newly announced Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

On the 9th January, the government announced that from April 2023, the previous scheme supporting businesses, charities and the public sector with energy bills would be replaced with the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

Offering two tiers of support, the first level of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme will provide a basic level of support for all businesses, charities and public sector bodies and a higher level for 'Energy and Trade Intensive Industries'.

Cultural and visitor attractions including libraries, museums, zoos and botanical gardens are among those to be included however community swimming pools, sports facilities and leisure centres, are set to see their support cut despite their considerable running costs.

Hampton Pool, opened in 1922, was threatened with closure in the 1980s, when it was saved by a group of local residents. The community pool, now run by a non-profit charitable trust and managed by YMCA St Paul's Group, relies on entry fees and fundraising to keep its doors open.

Ms Wilson, commenting on the neglect Hampton Pool now faces with the introduction of the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, said: "Anyone who has spent a day at Hampton Pool knows its value to the local community and the mental and physical health of local people.

"Through rain and shine, and occasionally snow, the unique facilities here bring people together in the joy of outdoor swimming. It was only last year that we were celebrating the centenary of Hampton Pool. Now the Government has all but turned off the tap to crucial energy support.

"Ministers must urgently review and expand the list of sectors classed as energy intensive. It is absolutely right to recognise our cultural institutions, but sports and leisure centres are in equal need. I call on the Government to preserve the future of Hampton Pool and others like it."

Ms Wilson speaking to BBC Radio London at Hampton Pool on Friday (January 27).

Hampton Pool is the base for many grass roots sports clubs and organisations across the Richmond borough, including triathlon and swimming clubs such as Thames Turbo and Teddington Masters. The pool also trains and employs young people as lifeguards and teachers and provides swimming lessons for children of all ages and runs a wide range of health and wellbeing-focused exercise sessions, including for the elderly.

Speaking to Nub News, Jane Savidge, Chair of the Hampton Pool Trust, added: "Our mission is to ensure that everyone in our community, young and old, can embrace the life-changing power of swimming, and live longer and happier lives. Pools like ours were already feeling the pinch of skyrocketing energy costs.

"Being left out of this latest scheme makes me fear for the future of community pools like ours, and across the country."

Despite tabling a Written Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling on the Secretary of State to review the sectors included on the 'Energy and Trade Intensive Industries' list to include swimming pools and leisure centres, Ms Wilson has since received a response indicating there are currently no plans scheduled for a review of the scheme.

Speaking to BBC Radio London at Hampton Pool on Friday (January 27), the Twickenham MP explained how an Early Day Motion has now been put forward which would allow for further debate on the topic in the House of Commons, which she stressed has received strong cross-party support.

For more information on Ms Wilson's work to secure stronger financial support for Hampton Pool, visit the link here.