Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Youth Services

Monday 13 April 2026 · 4 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

  • Jon Trickett inquired about the impact of austerity on youth services in mining communities and the increased spending power since Labour took office.
  • Shockat Adam raised concerns over the reduction in youth funding under the previous government and the potential further decline due to local government reorganisation.
  • Ze Franklin asked about discussions with local authorities regarding the provision of local youth services and the national youth strategy published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth
Children & Families Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of austerity measures on local youth service funding.

Question

In the austerity years, over £1 billion was taken out of youth services by the previous Government. In mining communities where villages are remote and there are no bus services readily available in the evening, young people are being left behind. Is there more we can do to help those mining villages? Will she also reflect on the availability of the youth centre in Upton which has been closed since the Tories were in office?

Answer from Alison McGovern

My hon. Friend reminds us of the damage that was done, particularly to those least able to bear it. I am pleased that spending power for Wakefield has increased by just shy of 27% since Labour came to office, so when it comes to the youth centre in Upton, I hope that there are more options available for Wakefield than there once were.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about mining villages and the availability of a specific youth center; these points were not fully addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q2 Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth
Housing Children & Families
Context

The MP highlights the direct link between youth service investment and reduced homelessness.

Question

There is a direct link between youth services and housing in communities. Once we invest in our youth services, there is reduced homelessness and fewer young people in temporary accommodation. However, the cut in real terms—close to £1 billion—means that the whole sector has been decimated. Does the Minister agree with me that when we lose our youth services and our centres, our whole community suffers?

Answer from Alison McGovern

Sadly, we all know only too well the cost that young people had to bear because of the years of austerity. Through the homelessness strategy, we have been trying to support young people at an earlier stage, and I will happily discuss that with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for agreement on the impact of losing youth services; this was not directly addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q3 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Children & Families Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the reduction in youth funding and its impact under previous governments.

Question

Under the previous Government, youth funding was reduced by approximately 70% and universal provision was impacted the most. Although we welcome the youth strategy, I am very concerned that local government reorganisation will result in a continued reduction in youth provision in our communities. Will the Minister advise on what assessment has been made of the impact of local government reorganisation on youth provision?

Answer from Alison McGovern

We are at risk of breaking out in violent agreement across the House about the importance of youth services and what the Conservative party did to them. We need to ensure that young people really do get a decent chance in life.

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for an assessment of the impact on youth provision; this was not addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Q4 Zöe Franklin Lib Dem Guildford
Children & Families Local Government
Context

The MP inquires about discussions regarding the adequacy of provision for local youth services.

Question

What discussions has he had with local authorities on the adequacy of the provision of local youth services?

Answer from Alison McGovern

In December, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published the national youth strategy, our 10-year plan to ensure that young people can access the services and opportunities they need to thrive, and I speak regularly to local leaders about this work. The local government finance settlement makes available £78 billion for English councils this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about discussions with local authorities; while some details were provided, specifics of those discussions were not given.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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