Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

National Youth Strategy

08 July 2026 · 13 other contributors · 10,008 words

Opened by Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield

Responding minister: Stephanie Peacock

EmploymentChildren & FamiliesLocal Government

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Harpreet Uppal raised concerns about national youth strategy in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about austerity impacting young people, with a loss of 1.2 billion in local authority funding for youth services since 2010.
  • Kirklees council experienced a 70% decrease in youth funding from 2011 to 2025, resulting in just over 47 per young person spent on youth services.
  • The speaker requested the government to commit to reviewing and strengthening the statutory duty on local authorities to provide a sufficient local youth offer, backed by dedicated funding.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Minister how the Government will ensure long-term investment so that organisations have certainty and how her Department will work with other Departments for greater alignment between reforms focused on young people. I also request a commitment to urgently reviewing and strengthening the statutory duty on local authorities to provide a sufficient local youth offer, backed by dedicated funding.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield

I am concerned about the impact of austerity on young people and the loss of £1.2 billion in local authority funding for youth services since 2010, with more than half of council-run youth centres closing. In Kirklees council, there has been a 70% decrease in funding from 2011 to 2025, leaving just over £47 per young person being spent on youth services. Youth clubs' closures have shown young people to be 14% more likely to engage in criminal activity six years later. The evidence is clear: when youth services are cut, communities suffer.

Other contributors (13)
  • Christopher Vince Con Gillingham and Rainham

    Welcomed the publication of the national youth strategy, highlighting the importance of including young carers. Emphasized the need for prevention over intervention and equal opportunities regardless of postcode. Celebrated Harlow being chosen as a home for a Young Futures hub.

  • David Williams Con Stoke-on-Trent North

    Welcomed the investment but stressed the importance of ensuring revenue funding alongside capital funding to support activities on the ground. Asked how the national youth strategy can be used to close the participation gap, noting that for every £1 spent on a young person in Stoke-on-Trent or Kidsgrove, £10 is spent on a young person in inner London.

  • Gordon McKee Con Tayside

    Agreed with his hon. Friend that youth clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme are crucial in helping young people acquire skills for employment.

  • Jim Dickson Con Dartford

    Dickson acknowledged the youthful population in Dartford, commending their contributions to cultural and sporting activities. He discussed concerns raised by young people regarding housing affordability, cost of living, mental health, and community integration in a digital age. Dickson welcomed the youth guarantee and the establishment of a new youth hub in Dartford but called for further rebuilding of lost youth services to provide more opportunities for young people.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon praised the Duke of Edinburgh's award, highlighting its role in teaching resilience and teamwork to young people. He emphasized the high completion rates in Northern Ireland and stressed the importance of addressing mental health issues among youth, advocating for the programme's expansion to reach 2 million more young people over five years. Intervenes to highlight the lasting impact of youth camping experiences, referencing his son's continued interest in camping after participating in such activities.

  • Josh Dean

    Josh Dean welcomed the Labour Government's national youth strategy, underscoring its recognition of trusted adult relationships in tackling youth unemployment. He cited evidence suggesting these relationships are crucial for supporting NEETs and transforming their journey to employment. Dean also highlighted the importance of youth workers like Russell who played a key role in his own positive development.

  • Lauren Sullivan Lab Gravesham

    Lauren Sullivan highlighted the decline in youth centres under the previous Conservative government and praised the national youth strategy's aim to enhance youth services. She mentioned a digital isolation paradox where social media disrupts sleep patterns while young people struggle with mental health issues, lacking places to talk about their problems. Sullivan noted that there is now a youth hub in Gravesham, working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Gravesham Youth Council.

  • Louie French Lab Old Bexley and Sidcup

    Discussed the importance of youth work, citing previous government's £560 million investment for a national youth guarantee. Highlighted the National Citizen Service with 750,000 participants and 93% satisfaction rate. Raised concerns about charity sector facing additional costs due to increased national insurance contributions, potentially leading to reduced provision. Emphasised economic benefits of youth work including social return on investment between £3.20 and £6.40 for every £1 invested. Criticised current government's strategy for cutting funding by around £50 million each year over the life of the strategy.

  • Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

    Pays tribute to the importance of youth services and enrichment, citing the Duke of Edinburgh's award's impact. Raises concerns about funding cuts by local authorities and schools reducing enrichment activities due to budget constraints. Highlights the need for sustainable funding and capacity-building to achieve government targets.

  • Natasha Irons Lab Croydon Central

    Welcomed the Government's leadership on services for young people but highlighted challenges such as cuts in youth services and a housing crisis. Introduced the Youth Services Bill to strengthen statutory protections for youth provision, including clear benchmarks and expectations around staff qualifications and accessibility.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab York Central

    Called for integration of youth services to create one cohesive service for young people, citing the loss of 60% of youth workers in 2011. Urged the Minister to ensure sufficient funding for rebuilding statutory youth services and engaging young people in shaping their futures.

  • Robbie Moore Lab Birmingham, Selly Oak

    Expressed concern about the Government's decision to end the physical education and sport premium for primary schools, highlighting a potential reduction in funding by 22%. Mentioned uncertainty from businesses like GoWild Outdoors over how the new PE and school sport partnerships network will work. Also raised issues with mayoralties applying a tourism tax to accommodation for youth organisations, requesting reassurance that this would not affect charitable means.

  • Sureena Brackenridge Lab Wolverhampton South West

    Brackenridge highlighted the transformative impact of youth work and enrichment activities, noting a 74% real terms decrease in local authority spending on youth services since 2010. She welcomed Labour's commitment to invest over £500 million through the national youth strategy, aimed at ensuring every young person has somewhere to go and halving the enrichment gap by 2035. Brackenridge also praised local initiatives such as the Wolves Foundation, Way Youth Zone, and Duke of Edinburgh's award.

Government Response

Stephanie Peacock

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms McVey. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield on securing this important debate and thank all contributors for their input. The Government's national youth strategy aims to support young people across various challenges by merging funding regimes and committing over £1 billion in funding for PE and school sport over three years, including a new PE and school sport partnerships network worth £580 million. Despite the decision to replace the existing PE and sport premium for primary schools, we aim to close gaps in participation with improvements to school sports facilities and transitional support for primaries. The minister also celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh's award, highlighting its transformative impact on young people's lives. She mentions that last month she signed the power of youth charter, demonstrating a commitment to youth empowerment and listening to their voices in decision-making. The national youth strategy aims by 2035 to halve the participation gap in enriching activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers, providing half a million people with access to a trusted adult outside their home. Backed by £500 million of DCMS funding, initiatives include expanding access to trusted adults through joint investments such as £10 million from the King's Trust, matched with corporate and philanthropic investment, bringing the total to £20 million. The strategy also focuses on enriching activities, supported by an enrichment framework for all pupils, aiming to ensure equal access regardless of background. My Department will invest £22.5 million to support up to 400 schools meeting benchmarks outlined in the framework and £132.5 million from dormant assets funding for opportunities across key categories of enrichment, including ensuring every school has a library. The minister highlights cross-Government work through the Young Futures ministerial group and developing a network of youth hubs with eight pilot hubs already open. Steps are being taken to strengthen the statutory duty on local authorities to provide sufficient youth offers. Every young person discovering their passions and pushing themselves outside comfort zones impacts them becoming more resilient, positive, and connected adults.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy