Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Pakes Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft]

We are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and colleagues across Government to ensure that we deliver on that.

[Andrew Pakes (Peterborough) (Lab/Co-op)]

The hottest ticket this summer, in many senses, was Peterborough lido, which, like many other historic pools, had its best season ever. However, we all know that many of our historic pools and lidos suffer from old infrastructure, and need tender love and care from our communities and Government. What more can my right hon. Friend do to ensure that this Government back our lidos and historic pools?

[Lisa Nandy]

I thank my hon. Friend for his sterling advocacy on behalf of Lidos everywhere and Peterborough lido in particular; he knows that I share his passion on the issue. I can tell the House that we are creating a public leisure facilities programme that will provide support for lidos and other swimming facilities, and that—thanks to the work that he and others have done to campaign for this—the programme will include the first dedicated fund for lidos that this country has produced.