Francis Thomas, Advocacy Manager for the CFPI, joined BBC Breakfast this morning to raise urgent concerns about the widespread closure of public toilets across the UK.

Speaking candidly about the growing issue, Francis shared that a quarter of public toilets have closed in the last decade, largely due to financial constraints on local councils. “Many councils want to do the right thing,” he said, “but their budgets are so squeezed that public toilets, services they’re not legally required to provide, are often among the first to go.”

Francis went on to highlight the consequences of these closures, noting their impact on high streets, businesses, and individuals. “Low-quality or unavailable public toilets discourage people from spending time in town centres,” he explained. “That’s bad for local economies and creates what’s known as the ‘loo leash,’ where people, particularly older or disabled individuals, feel they can’t stray too far from home.”

When asked about solutions, Francis repeated our calls for a more sustainable model that includes community toilet schemes, in which businesses are compensated by councils to make their facilities publicly accessible. He also stressed the importance of ring-fenced public health funding, pointing out that access to clean, safe toilets is a health issue as much as a community one.

He argued for political will and collaboration: “We need cities and councils to work together, to listen to the people affected, and to act. Public toilets aren’t a luxury; they’re essential infrastructure.”

Francis appeared alongside campaigner Lynne Morgan, who is working to make public toilets more inclusive and accessible for people with stomas. Together, they argued the human cost of inaction and the importance of treating public infrastructure as a matter of dignity and equity.

The CFPI continues to work with local authorities and communities to restore essential services and make town centres welcoming for everyone.