Anna Dixon and Philip Davies clash over Bingley pool funding

In March, the then-Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the Spring Budget that Bingley would receive £14.5 million as part of Levelling Up funding to reopen the crumbling pool, which shut in 2020.

But now, Anna Dixon - who was elected as Labour MP for Shipley in last month's General Election - has claimed the money "simply wasn't there".

Shipley Labour MP Anna Dixon

She said the new Labour Government was now having to review all Levelling Up projects after the Tories "left a black hole in the country's finances" - while insisting she would "do everything I can" to "secure a future for Bingley pool".

However, Sir Philip Davies, the former Conservative MP for Shipley, said Ms Dixon's "claim the money isn't there is simply dishonest".

Ms Dixon said: "I have been in contact with Government ministers and will do everything I can to push for the money that was awarded for the Bingley pool project to be honoured.

"I will also be meeting with the Friends of Bingley Pool group to discuss further how this project can be delivered.

"The last Government left a black hole in the country's finances and the promises to Bingley were hollow as the money simply wasn't there.

"The new Labour Government now has to fix the mess left by the Conservatives and is having to carefully review all Levelling Up projects.

"I recognise the vital contribution to health and well-being of access to swimming facilities and the wider benefits of this redevelopment to Bingley.

"I will do all I can to secure a future for Bingley Pool working with local councillors."

In response, Sir Philip said: "I am afraid that nobody is going to be fooled by this tripe.

Sir Philip Davies, former Conservative MP for Shipley (Image: PA)

"The money for Bingley swimming pool was literally in the Spring Budget - with the figures enshrined in the Office for Budget Responsibility numbers which sit alongside it. 

"To claim the money isn't there is simply dishonest.

Sir Philip with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak outside Bingley pool earlier this year (Image: UK Government)

"As the local MP, Anna Dixon's job is to stick up for the Shipley constituency, not the Government.

"She should be apoplectic about the Government seeking to weasel out of giving this money, not trying to justify it."

A spokesperson from the Friends of Bingley Pool group urged residents to contact Ms Dixon to "implore her to lobby ministers to keep the Bingley project alive".