Francis Thomas, Advocacy Manager for the CFPI joined Times Radio to highlight the growing crisis in local government and the impact of public toilet closures.

The interview followed news that Woking Borough Council, which is £2 billion in debt, has closed all its public toilets to save money. Francis explained that this is not an isolated case. Across the UK, the number of public toilets is steadily falling. “We’ve lost around a third in the last decade,” he said. “And that’s a conservative estimate.”

The core issue is that councils are being forced to make difficult decisions. “When your budget is shrinking, you cut what you’re not legally required to fund,” Francis explained. “Public toilets fall into that category.”

But the effect goes beyond inconvenience. “It’s not just about comfort,” he said. “Older people, disabled people, and those with children are most affected. These are exactly the people we want to see active in our towns and high streets. Without clean and safe toilets, many simply stay at home. Age UK calls this the ‘loo leash’ — people feel they can’t go far in case they can’t find a toilet.”

The poor state of many remaining toilets only adds to the problem. “Years of underinvestment have left many in bad condition. Some people don’t feel safe using them, especially if they have health conditions that require hygiene. Councils then decide, wrongly, that it’s better to close them altogether.”

When asked about solutions, Francis pointed to both national and local actions. “We’re asking the government to provide ring-fenced funding for toilets as part of public health budgets. But councils can take small steps now. Many already have toilets in public buildings like libraries or offices. These are available, but people don’t know they exist.”

He noted that Woking has started publishing a list of these facilities online. But better signage is essential. “A sticker in the window is enough. If people know a toilet is there, they’ll use it. It makes a big difference.”

The conversation ended with a broader point about council funding. With some now proposing to devolve services like the NHS to local authorities, Francis warned about the risks. “Councils can make informed local decisions. But they must be properly funded. You can’t ask them to run vital services without giving them the resources to do it well.”