Councils across England and Wales have seen the income from swimming, library, and other leisure fees rise by £25 million over the past five years, while overall culture and leisure budgets have fallen, a new report warns.
Data from the Accounts Commission shows that revenue from sports centres and related facilities reached £117.6 million in 2023-24, up from £92.7 million in 2018-19, representing a real-term increase of 26.9 per cent.
Despite the rise in fees, overall satisfaction levels have declined, and attendance at some services remains below pre-pandemic levels. Visits to sports facilities are now 21 per cent lower than in 2018-19, even as councils continue to reduce or review what is on offer.
Spending by local authorities on culture and leisure fell by three per cent over the same period, prompting warnings that cuts could worsen inequalities, particularly in rural areas that rely heavily on council-provided facilities.
Jo Armstrong, chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Culture and leisure services are vital to our health and wellbeing, supporting national and local priorities and helping people stay connected. Gaps in national data need to be addressed to better understand how reductions in spending are impacting communities.
“As councils face continued pressures from rising costs and demand, culture and leisure services have taken a disproportionate share of savings measures. Communities must be fully consulted on decisions to close, centralise facilities, or change charging, or risk deepening inequalities and legal challenges.”
Councils spent £675 million on culture and leisure in 2023-24, with approved savings of £9.9 million in this area for 2024-25. Library visits have remained steady at 44 million over five years, while museum trips have increased by 15 million.
Thirteen local authorities now deliver sports and arts services through a single arm’s-length external organisation, while ten others operate via culture or leisure trusts. However, the report highlights a lack of comparable data to fully assess the impact on communities.
The Accounts Commission stated: “Financial pressures and rising demand are already affecting frontline service performance. Without better understanding of how services interact to support long-term outcomes, councils struggle to make informed budgetary decisions that sustain their services. Collaboration with the wider public sector and private and third-sector partners is essential to gauge the longer-term effects of current financial decisions.”
Commenting on the findings, Tory culture spokesperson Murdo Fraser said: “Libraries, sports facilities, and museums are not just an added extra; they are often the focal point of community life. In deprived and rural areas, council-run leisure facilities are often the only option. If gyms and swimming pools close or charges rise, this could seriously affect public health.”
