Unallocated Government funds for free swimming will be given to help councils who have signed up for the scheme, according to the culture secretary. Andy Burnham also issued a last call to non-participating councils to join the scheme which starts in April. The department revealed that so far free swimming for over 60s has been offered by eight out of 10 authorities with six out of 10 providing for under 16s. He is set to write in the next few days to councils about the use of unallocated funds which total around £2m. Mr Burnham said local authorities had risen to the challenge ‘magnificently' despite tight budgets. He told an LGA conference this week: ‘This is entirely new territory with a risk that Government funding might fall short in some areas. So the number of councils that have signed up has exceeded our expectations and I'm absolutely delighted with the positive response it has received.' Culture secretary Andy Burnham has agreed to an exclusive interview with The MJ and our sister website LocalGov.co.uk to answer questions from local government about the free swimming scheme. Simply email your questions to mjnews@hgluk.com and we will put them directly to the minister. The deadline is Monday, 24 March. Mark your email ‘Andy Burnham questions'