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Youth Services 2025-05-15
15 May 2025
Lead MP
Natasha Irons
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationEmployment
Other Contributors: 34
At a Glance
Natasha Irons raised concerns about youth services 2025-05-15 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity is undermined by the systematic dismantling of youth services, leading to significant challenges for young people. Since the 2010 spending review, funding for youth services has declined by over 73%, with one in eight local councils now having no youth centres. Youth workers are often in low-paid and insecure work, while voluntary organisations struggle with their own funding crises. Croydon, a prime example of these challenges, is on the verge of losing its council-run youth engagement team which provides critical support to vulnerable young people. Natasha Irons calls for statutory protections for youth services and investment in proper pay, training and support for its workforce.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
While there has been a significant decline in funding for youth services, some centres like Sulgrave Youth Club have managed to thrive due to long-term support and funding.
Chris Kane
Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
There is also a funding crisis in Scotland with local authorities lacking the necessary funds to provide vital youth services, indicating this issue extends beyond England. Chris suggests that colleagues should emulate innovative provisions from an upcoming youth Act in Scotland.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Young people in Devon have incredible potential but face significant challenges due to the 76% real-terms cut to youth services under Conservative leadership. Despite this, dedicated volunteers continue to support young people through various initiatives like the YMCA and Involve Mid Devon.
Richard Quigley
Lab
Isle of Wight West
Conservative underfunding of youth services has led to the closure of centres such as Manstone Youth Centre in Sidmouth, highlighting the need for better funding and support for these vital community resources.
Katie White
Lab
Leeds North West
Youth services are facing a mental health crisis; one in five children has a probable mental health condition. Local services have been decimated since 2010, losing over £1 billion. The Government’s national youth strategy and increased investment in early intervention should be complemented by community-wide consultation to target funding where it is needed most.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Local authority spending on youth services has been slashed by £1.2 billion since 2010, a 73% cut. Without real role models and safe spaces, young people turn to toxic influences like social media, leading to isolation, mental health issues, and crime. Youth work saves over £500 million annually in costs from knife crime, antisocial behaviour, and criminal justice. Investment is smart economics with a return of up to £6.40 for every £1 spent.
Chris Kane
Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
Scotland has a proud tradition in youth work which addresses inequality, isolation, and opportunity gaps. Projects like the Callander youth project and Eastern Villages sports hub show how sport and community development can go hand in hand. However, these projects rely on short-term funding due to cuts by the SNP Government, leading to worsening mental health, rising youth crime, and lost opportunities.
Tiverton and Minehead
Devon is a wonderful place to grow up with vibrant sports clubs, young farmers clubs, cadet branches of armed services, scout and guide troops, and the King’s award-winning Exmoor Young Voices. However, no specific position or arguments were provided in the given text.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Supports youth work and emphasises the importance of youth services, highlighting personal experiences from her local youth club and involvement in UK Youth Parliament. Advocates for a legal duty on government to support youth work, long-term fully funded universal access youth work, recognition of qualifications, and a statutory requirement for local authorities to provide youth work. She calls for a national strategy delivery order that will nourish young people across the land.
Lewes
Expresses concern over the closure of youth club sessions in his constituency due to rising wage bills and increased NI contributions, costing a not-for-profit organisation £90,000. Urges for secure long-term funding and asks Ministers to review employment policy changes impacting voluntary and community organisations. Emphasises that investing in young people prevents future crises in mental health, crime, education, and employment.
Jodie Gosling
Lab
Nuneaton
Congratulates a youth provider, Aspire in Arts, on its 10-year anniversary. Highlights the organisation's success despite significant cuts to youth budgets since 2010 and discusses its role as a safety net for young people at risk of mental health issues or criminality. Discusses the positive impact of youth services in reducing reoffending rates and supporting unmet needs, while advocating for secure funding instead of piecemeal support.
Chris Vince
Con
Harlow
Mentioned briefly to agree with Jodie Gosling's point about including young carers in consultations. No full position provided.
Chris Bloore
Lab
Redditch
Congratulates Natasha Irons on securing the debate and highlights her advocacy for local government, emphasising the need to build a fit-for-purpose youth service.
Chris Bloore
Lab
Croydon East
He emphasised the need for long-term investment in youth services to address mental health challenges, reduce violence and crime, and support young people through life stages. He also called for specific funding minimums and accessibility standards.
Sean Woodcock
Lab
Banbury
He agreed that the Conservative government's closure of youth centres in Oxfordshire has done irreparable damage to young people in the area, emphasising the importance of youth services for their wellbeing.
Maya Ellis
Lab
Ribble Valley
She highlighted the need for accessible youth services that cater to the needs and concerns of young people. She welcomed the Government's announcement on a new national youth strategy but called for consistent long-term funding.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
She discussed the positive impact of youth services on young people, citing examples like The Way youth zone in her constituency. She argued that such services need consistent long-term funding to survive and deliver benefits.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
He spoke about the importance of youth services for children living in poverty, advocating for sustainable funding arrangements to support charities like Includem. He highlighted the need for long-term funding to build trust between staff and young people.
Baggy Shanker
Lab/Co-op
Derby South
He acknowledged the efforts of organisations in Derby that work with young people but criticised Tory austerity cuts that have led to closures or scaling back of services. He called for longer-term funding for youth services.
Harpreet Uppal
Lab
Huddersfield
Recognises the work of local youth organisations in Huddersfield, highlighting financial constraints and short-term funding issues. Emphasises the need for sustainable long-term funding to prevent criminal activity among young people and support mental health.
Katrina Murray
Lab
Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Pays tribute to North Lanarkshire council’s investment in youth work, noting the importance of engaging with disengaged young people through detached youth work. Mentions 1,200 young people involved in localised groups accessing SQA qualifications.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Discusses challenges faced by youth workers due to cuts under the previous government. Highlights the closure of services and the work of charities like Swan Youth Project in Downham Market. Advocates for a Labour Government's ambition to remove barriers to opportunity.
Josh Dean
Lab
Hertford and Stortford
Shares personal experience of support from local authority youth workers, noting the 50% real-terms cut in Hertfordshire since 2010. Pays tribute to charities like Thirst Youth Café and FUTUREhope group for filling gaps left by cuts.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Highlights the importance of youth provision, noting a 73% cut in youth funding since 2010. Praises Leeds United Football Club's plans to transform land into Wortley’s Wembley for young people.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
The last Government cut child trust funds, Sure Start centres and other educational programmes. Youth services in County Durham were cut by 80% between 2010 and 2020, leading to high youth unemployment rates and long waiting lists for mental health services. The Government must address this issue through funding and legislative change.
John Whitby
Lab
Derbyshire Dales
Youth services are vital but were often the first thing cut due to austerity measures. Since 2010, spending on youth services in Derbyshire has fallen by two thirds in real terms. Rural areas face particular challenges as young people have limited access to public transport and employment opportunities.
Wolverhampton North East
Youth services funding fell by 73% since 2010. Community efforts like The Way youth zone continue despite widespread losses, but dedicated long-term funding is needed to protect youth services and support young people.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
Youth services have disappeared across the country. In Halesowen, council-run youth centres closed due to £42 million cuts from local services. Young people face barriers in finding support and are struggling with mental health issues and unemployment. Youth workers play a critical role in preventing crime and improving mental health.
Luke Taylor
LD
Sutton and Cheam
Youth services across England have been cut by more than 70% in the past 15 years, leading to an increase in youth crimes. Knife crime is a public health issue requiring early intervention and community-based support. In London alone, there were over 16,000 incidents of knife crime last year.
Natasha Irons
Lab
Croydon East
Youth services are vital to prevent young people from committing violent acts. Local councils face financial pressures that force them to cut youth services, impacting mental health and increasing crime rates.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Conservative government allocated £560 million over three years for the national youth guarantee programme. The programme aimed to provide young people with regular access to clubs, activities, experiences away from home, and opportunities to volunteer. Criticises Labour's decision to cancel the National Citizen Service programme.
Luke Taylor
LD
Sutton and Cheam
Calls for a statutory duty on local authorities to provide youth services up to age 25 and pre-charge diversion schemes. Advocates for a national youth strategy co-produced with young people, ensuring early intervention and support before crime occurs.
not named
The Government is developing a new 10-year national youth strategy to support young people with flexible solutions tailored to local needs. They are co-producing the strategy with over 14,000 young people who filled in surveys. The workforce of youth workers and volunteers need better training and long-term support. For this financial year, £28 million is being allocated for programmes that help young people grow, gain confidence and feel connected; and over £85 million will be used to renovate and equip youth centres across the country through capital funding.
Natasha Irons
Lab
Rotherham
Appreciates the extra funding for youth services but urges for statutory back-up instead of a piecemeal, patchwork approach. Emphasises the need for long-term sustainable funding and statutory protection to prevent repeating past mistakes that led to declines in mental health among young people.
Government Response
Acknowledges the importance of youth services but emphasises that local councils have reduced spending by 73% since 2010. Announces a local youth transformation pilot to support local authorities in planning and providing youth services tailored to community needs. Developing a new 10-year national youth strategy, co-produced with young people. £28 million for programmes helping young people grow and connect; over £85 million allocated to renovate and equip youth centres.
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Assessment & feedback
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