Youth Services Voluntary Sector 2022-12-01
2022-12-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from concerns about the impact of rising costs on organisations providing youth services, such as the Scouts. Parents are struggling with increased fees due to the cost of living, while organisations face challenges related to rent and energy bills.
What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support the voluntary sector in delivering youth services. Last week I had the pleasure of spending my Wednesday evening with a group called the Squirrels, which is the new expanded offer from the Scouts, offering four and five-year-olds the opportunity to engage in new services. In addition, research by the Scouts has raised concerns about the rising cost of living, with parents unable to afford some of the fees for those services. What support can the Government give to organisations such as the Scouts?
The hon. Lady is right to praise the work of many of our non-military uniformed youth groups. In trying to tackle waiting lists across England, about £15 million will be invested in the area. The additional cost of living pressure and issues faced by the sector are being fed into Departments looking at them for the long term.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding support to organisations like the Scouts was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment or action plan.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Research by the Scouts highlighted concerns over rising costs affecting parents' ability to afford youth service fees, along with organisational challenges due to rent and energy bills.
Last week I had the pleasure of spending my Wednesday evening with a group called the Squirrels, which is the new expanded offer from the Scouts, offering four and five-year-olds the opportunity to engage in new services. In addition, research by the Scouts has raised concerns about the rising cost of living, with parents unable to afford some of the fees for those services. What support can the Government give to organisations such as the Scouts?
The hon. Lady is right to praise the work of many of our non-military uniformed youth groups. In trying to tackle waiting lists across England, about £15 million will be invested in the area. The additional cost of living pressure and issues faced by the sector are being fed into Departments looking at them for the long term.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask regarding support to organisations like the Scouts was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment or action plan.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
A review is being conducted into the benefits of integrating youth work and voluntary groups closely with schools to support students who struggle in traditional school settings.
Together with the former Member for Stretford and Urmston and the National Youth Agency, I am chairing a review into the benefits of linking youth work with schools. What discussions is the Minister having with the Department for Education about how we can bring in more youth workers, including voluntary youth groups working closely with schools?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. He is absolutely right that it is important that there is joint working across Departments. We are doing that with the Department for Education and, in particular, looking to offer the Duke of Edinburgh's award to every mainstream secondary school. I would welcome the opportunity to meet a delegation, listen to it and discuss the report's findings.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy