Local Youth Services 2026-04-13
2026-04-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of aus [3D [K austerity measures on local youth service funding.
In the austerity years, over £1 billion was taken [5D [K taken out of youth services by the previous Government. In mining communiti [9D [K communities where villages are remote and there are no bus services readily [7D [K readily available in the evening, young people are being left behind. Is th [2D [K there more we can do to help those mining villages? Will she also reflect o [1D [K on the availability of the youth centre in Upton which has been closed sinc [4D [K since the Tories were in office?
My hon. Friend reminds us of the damage that was do [2D [K done, particularly to those least able to bear it. I am pleased that spendi [6D [K spending power for Wakefield has increased by just shy of 27% since Labour [K came to office, so when it comes to the youth centre in Upton, I hope that [K there are more options available for Wakefield than there once were.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about mining vill [4D [K villages and the availability of a specific youth center; these points were [4D [K were not fully addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the direct link between y [1D [K youth service investment and reduced homelessness.
There is a direct link between youth services and [3D [K and housing in communities. Once we invest in our youth services, there is [K reduced homelessness and fewer young people in temporary accommodation. How [3D [K However, the cut in real terms—close to £1 billion—means that the whole sec [3D [K sector has been decimated. Does the Minister agree with me that when we los [3D [K lose our youth services and our centres, our whole community suffers?
Sadly, we all know only too well the cost that youn [4D [K young people had to bear because of the years of austerity. Through the hom [3D [K homelessness strategy, we have been trying to support young people at an ea [2D [K earlier stage, and I will happily discuss that with him.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked for agreement on [K the impact of losing youth services; this was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the reduction in [K youth funding and its impact under previous governments.
Under the previous Government, youth funding was [K reduced by approximately 70% and universal provision was impacted the most. [5D [K most. Although we welcome the youth strategy, I am very concerned that loca [4D [K local government reorganisation will result in a continued reduction in you [3D [K youth provision in our communities. Will the Minister advise on what assess [6D [K assessment has been made of the impact of local government reorganisation o [1D [K on youth provision?
We are at risk of breaking out in violent agreement [9D [K agreement across the House about the importance of youth services and what [K the Conservative party did to them. We need to ensure that young people rea [3D [K really do get a decent chance in life.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked for an assessment [10D [K assessment of the impact on youth provision; this was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquires about discussions regarding [9D [K regarding the adequacy of provision for local youth services.
What discussions has he had with local authoritie [10D [K authorities on the adequacy of the provision of local youth services?
In December, the Department for Culture, Media and [K Sport published the national youth strategy, our 10-year plan to ensure tha [3D [K that young people can access the services and opportunities they need to th [2D [K thrive, and I speak regularly to local leaders about this work. The local g [1D [K government finance settlement makes available £78 billion for English counc [5D [K councils this year.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about discussions [11D [K discussions with local authorities; while some details were provided, speci [5D [K specifics of those discussions were not given.
Response accuracy