Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Funding for Youth Services

28 February 2024 · 8 other contributors · 13,063 words

Opened by Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

Responding minister: Stuart Andrew

EconomyChildren & FamiliesLocal Government

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Rachel Hopkins raised concerns about funding for youth services in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Rachel Hopkins raises concerns about severe underfunding and deprioritization of youth services in England since 2010, citing a 170 million budget cut for Luton Council alone.
  • Spending per head on youth services has decreased by 75% nationally since 2010-11, with the west midlands having the lowest spend per young person at 24.
  • Hopkins asks the Minister to address the YMCA's recommendations for sustained and long-term revenue funding to bolster universal youth services and a cross-departmental strategy for youth services.

Key requests to Government

Hopkins asks the Minister to address the YMCA's recommendations for sustained and long-term revenue funding to bolster universal youth services, a cross-departmental strategy for youth services, and enforcement of a duty on local authorities to ensure that all young people can access youth services. She also inquires about discussions with other Government Departments regarding long-term resources and steps being taken to increase the number of full-time equivalent youth workers. The Government should provide a clear update on their measures to improve training for youth workers and the impact these have had, as well as ensuring that young people who commit violence are offered support or training to control their behaviour. Adequate funding is needed now to prevent further exploitation and criminalisation of young people.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

Rachel Hopkins is concerned about the severe underfunding and deprioritisation of youth services in England, which has led to significant cuts since 2010. She cites a £170 million budget cut for Luton Council alone and notes that spending per head on youth services has decreased by 75% nationally since 2010-11, sitting at only £48 per five to 17-year-old. Hopkins also mentions regional funding inequalities, with the west midlands having the lowest spend per young person (£24), and highlights a 35% reduction in full-time equivalent youth workers employed by local authorities. Cuts to youth services have led to a rise in crime and antisocial behaviour. Council funding for youth services has been slashed by an average of 73% over the last 12 years, with per child spending dropping to £47.79 on average across England. In some areas, such as Middlesborough, this figure decreased by 94%, while in the City of London it is £493.67. The number of council youth centres has fallen by 53% since 2011-12.

Other contributors (8)
  • Alex Cunningham Lab Stockton North

    My hon. Friend has given fantastic examples of the importance of youth services and the work of the YMCA. He agrees that children in deprived communities are less likely to access necessary support. I am a big fan of what the lottery has achieved in so many parts of the country, and it supports many sports clubs in my constituency. Despite those clubs' work and outreach, many of the most vulnerable children never get the opportunity to go to them, and nor can they afford the small subs. I suspect the Minister is coming towards the end of his speech. I am concerned that we have all on this side raised the link between youth services and crime, so will the Minister address that before he sits down?

  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    Ms Anderson highlighted the importance of youth services, paying tribute to various organisations in her constituency that support young people. She cited statistics showing a significant reduction in youth service funding since 2010 and emphasised the need for a streamlined strategy to ensure universal access to these services. The cuts have led to increased crime rates among young people and negative impacts on mental health, skills development, and social well-being. I welcome all funding for youth services, but will the Minister accept that this is a piecemeal, project-by-project approach rather than a place-based strategy that asks what young people in one area have access to? A more joined-up strategy for youth services is required.

  • Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South

    She highlighted the crucial role of youth services in young people's development, citing statistics such as over 85% of a young person's waking hours being spent outside formal education. She noted significant funding cuts since 2010, with local councils' expenditure on youth services reduced by £1 billion, leading to a 73% real-terms cut in spending and the closure of hundreds of youth centres. I do not doubt the Minister's personal commitment to youth services, but I ask him gently what conversations he has had with his opposite number in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It is not as if local authorities do not understand the value of youth work or do not want to provide youth services.

  • Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree

    Paula Barker paid tribute to organisations and volunteers providing youth services in Liverpool, Wavertree, highlighting the impact of austerity measures on local youth services. She criticised the government's record on funding cuts, noting that Liverpool City Council has lost 86% of its youth service provision since 2010, with spending at just under £40 per young person compared to over £89 in North Yorkshire. Barker emphasised the intergenerational inequality and the need for better support for young people facing issues such as homelessness, violent crime, and mental health.

  • Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington

    Ms Hamilton highlighted the severe reduction in youth services and funding since the last Labour Government, noting a 73% real-terms spending decrease. She cited statistics showing a 53% reduction in youth services operated by local authorities and a 35% decline in full-time equivalent youth workers from 2011 to 2012. She also pointed out that child poverty has increased, with 4.2 million children now living in poverty.

  • Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton

    Investing in youth services is a preventive measure against future social and economic issues. Somerset has seen an 80% reduction in real-terms spending on youth services over the past 12 years, leading to higher costs associated with problems that could have been mitigated. Volunteer-led Somerton library plays a crucial role in engaging young people, but the national crisis in local authorities' finances threatens its future provision. Libraries are vital services that need to be adequately funded by local authorities.

  • Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale

    Funding for youth services has declined over generations, leading to a lack of value placed on these services. Mr. Farron highlighted the correlation between reduced youth service funding and increased criminality and mental health issues among young people. He emphasised the importance of providing safe spaces where young individuals can explore new experiences and build resilience against life challenges. In his constituency, youth workers are vital in reaching out to at-risk youths and helping them avoid crime through community-based interventions. However, he pointed out that funding for these services is often short-term and unreliable, hindering their ability to sustain long-term support.

  • Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and East

    She highlighted the importance of youth centres in providing safe spaces for young people to socialise, learn new skills, and improve their mental and physical health. She mentioned that many organisations such as the YMCA and Bolton Lads & Girls Club are filling gaps left by budget cuts but face stark reductions in funding. Qureshi also noted the increased levels of stress and mental health issues among young people due to COVID-19.

Government Response

Stuart Andrew

I recognise the importance of youth services and acknowledge their positive impacts on young people's wellbeing, confidence, social skills, political awareness, and citizenship. More than 85% of a young person's waking hours are spent outside school, making youth workers and volunteers crucial in supporting young people. I highlighted our campaign targeting loneliness among young people and mentioned the Lift youth centre in Islington as an example of transformational youth services. The Department for Levelling Up has committed £2 billion to youth service spending, with Sport England, Arts Council England, and the National Lottery Community Fund contributing additional funding. Local authorities play a key role in delivering youth services and have received increased funding through the local government settlement to support crucial services and early intervention measures. The holiday activities and food programme is provided with £200 million annually to ensure disadvantaged young people have enriching holidays. We are investing over £500 million towards the national youth guarantee, ensuring every young person has access to regular out-of-school activities by 2025. We are also supporting local authorities through updated statutory guidance and a peer review programme to facilitate sharing of best practices. The Youth Investment Fund aims to create up to 300 youth facilities across England, with more than £250 million already allocated towards this goal. Additionally, we have reformed the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme into year-round offerings, benefiting over 120,000 young people last year and thousands more in ongoing programmes. Our investment includes support for uniformed youth organisations to recruit volunteers and expand their capacity, as well as outdoor learning opportunities through the adventures away from home fund. We have provided £3.7 million of the million hours fund to over 400 youth organisations to address antisocial behaviour risks and invested in the #iwill fund to create community engagement opportunities. We are dedicated to increasing access to green spaces for disadvantaged young people with a £2.5 million investment. The summer jobs programme will support 2,600 young people at risk of youth crime, and the Turnaround programme aims to improve outcomes for up to 17,500 more young people on the cusp of entering the youth justice system. We are working with the National Youth Agency to maintain and improve youth work qualifications and provide guidance on safeguarding. We also fund bursaries to help those who cannot afford youth work qualifications due to cost constraints. Overall, we aim for collaboration among central government, local government, and community organisations to ensure high-quality experiences accessible to young people regardless of their location or circumstances.

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