Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Youth Strategy: Youth Sector Organisations

Thursday 28 November 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The youth strategy aims to address the training, recruitment, and retention of youth workers.
  • My Department collaborates with the National Youth Agency to fund training bursaries for individuals facing financial barriers.
  • The Government has raised the threshold for employers' national insurance contributions to help smaller charities and businesses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Natasha Irons Lab Croydon East
Children & Families
Context

No national youth strategy existed when Lisa Nandy entered the Department, and there has been a significant reduction in funding for youth services under the previous government.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to incorporate information collected by youth sector organisations into the national youth strategy. When I chaired an all-party parliamentary group meeting with over 80 young people and organisations from across the sector, including Reaching Higher from my constituency, they highlighted the urgency of a national plan for young people but noted that 73% cuts to funding have led to 4,500 youth workers leaving the sector in the past decade.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The youth strategy is an opportunity to look afresh at the training, recruitment and retention of youth workers. My Department works with the National Youth Agency to fund training bursaries for individuals who may otherwise be excluded due to cost. We are aware that some of the people who make the best youth workers have had those experiences. We are very committed to working with her and her all-party parliamentary group to ensure that we get this right.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledged the issue but did not provide specific plans or commitments for how the national youth strategy will support youth workers and attract more people into the sector.

How: Working With Her And Her All-Party Parliamentary Group To Ensure That We Get This Right

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Natasha Irons Lab Croydon East
Social Care Education Employment
Context

The previous government cut funding for youth services, resulting in significant job losses and service reductions. The national plan for young people is urgently needed.

Question

When I chaired an all-party parliamentary group meeting with over 80 young people and organisations from across the sector, including Reaching Higher from my constituency, they highlighted the urgency of a national plan for young people but noted that 73% cuts to funding have led to 4,500 youth workers leaving the sector in the past decade. Can the Secretary of State outline how her national youth strategy will support youth workers and attract more people back into vital work?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The youth strategy is an opportunity to look afresh at the training, recruitment and retention of youth workers. My Department works with the National Youth Agency to fund training bursaries for individuals who may otherwise be excluded due to cost. We are aware that some of the people who make the best youth workers have had those experiences. We are very committed to working with her and her all-party parliamentary group to ensure that we get this right.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledged the issue but did not provide specific actions or commitments for supporting and attracting youth workers back into vital work.

How: Working With Her And Her All-Party Parliamentary Group To Ensure That We Get This Right

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Young Devon provides essential services for young people in Devon, but the increased employer national insurance contributions will result in significant costs for the charity.

Question

Young Devon provides essential services for young people across Devon, including supported accommodation and mental health provision. The increased employers' national insurance contributions will cost Young Devon at least £90,000 just to stand still—meaning 100 fewer young people counselled and eight fewer beds offered. What conversations has the right hon. Lady had with the Chancellor to ensure that charities such as Young Devon do not have to reduce their valuable services as a result of the Budget?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has held roundtables with the sector to ensure we are providing the right help and support. The Government announced plans to raise the threshold at which businesses and charities pay contributions, so that half of charities—the smaller charities—will pay either less or the same as they currently do. Charities can also benefit from relief on employer contributions; worth around £6 billion a year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide details about specific conversations with the Chancellor regarding support for Young Devon specifically, and instead gave general information about tax changes for charities.

How: Roundtables With The Sector To Ensure We Are Providing The Right Help And Support

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email