Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Youth Services: Voluntary Sector

Thursday 1 December 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister praised the work of non-military uniformed youth groups.
  • 15 million will be invested to tackle waiting lists for youth services in England.
  • Discussions are ongoing with the Department for Education to increase the presence of youth workers in schools.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Community Security Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding support to organisations like the Scouts was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment or action plan.

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Q2 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Economy Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding support to organisations like the Scouts was not directly addressed with a concrete commitment or action plan.

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Q3 Tim Loughton Con
Education Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

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.

Answered
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