UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour faces criticism for cutting youth work budgets below Conservative spending, as activists warn of a deepening crisis amid rising youth crime and closures.
As reported by The Guardian, UK Youth analysis shows Labour is investing less in youth services than previous Tory budgets, despite pledges to prioritise youth welfare.
What did UK Youth reveal about the crisis in youth services?
The UK’s leading youth charity has urged the government to raise funding for a sector “decimated” by austerity, warning that “warm words won’t pay for youth workers.”
The charity revealed that under the 2021 budget plan, the Tories allocated £191.8m to youth development through key programmes. This included funding for the Youth Investment Fund and the now-defunct National Citizen Service.
The Labour government has committed £146.5 million to youth programmes, including £79.4 million from previously defined funds for the Youth Investment Fund.
What did Vicky Browning say about Labour’s commitment to youth?
Vicky Browning, the chief executive of UK Youth, stated, “This should be a moment to turn the tide on one and a half decades of underinvestment.”
She said,
“The Labour government does seem committed to young people, but there’s no investment in youth work to match. They’ve got to back up those words with funding that at the very least matches what the previous government was putting in.”
Ms Browning described the approach as a potential turning point for youth work but warned that without adequate funding to achieve genuine results, it would be ineffective.
What did Lisa Nandy say about youth work cuts in the UK?
Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, called the reduction in youth work funding a “source of national shame.”
She pledged that a national youth strategy would be revealed this summer, following a “national listening exercise.”
What did Debbie Jones say about the funding struggles facing youth projects?
Debbie Jones, chief executive of the Corner House Youth Project in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, stated,
“There is such a struggle for funding – 70% of my time is spent sourcing funds to keep the doors open. It’s really difficult.”
He added,
“It’s a constant hamster wheel of money from short-term pots, and we will have to close if we don’t get that. There’s a lot of talk at the moment about a national youth strategy but I think the proof is in the pudding and we’re still waiting to see what that will look like in action.”
What did Kat Ager say about the government’s promises on youth funding?
Kat Ager, chief executive of Oasis Community Partnerships, stated,
“A year ago, we started hearing some positive things from the government. We’ve had announcements but they haven’t resulted in any new funding.”
She said,
“We’re trying to remain hopeful that there will be something coming, but we’re aware of the restrictions on the Treasury and budget so it’s getting harder to stay hopeful.”
Ms Ager said young people have been invited to share their experiences at events, but meaningful change has yet to follow. She added,
“There was this energy and excitement of being in parliament and feeling heard, but then you don’t get anything afterwards and for the young people that feels discouraging.”
What did the Department for Culture, Media and Sport say about youth funding?
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated,
“Youth services are crucial to helping young people live safe and healthy lives. That is why we are investing £145m in youth programmes for 2025-26, which is consistent with funding for 24-25 and provides stability for the sector.”
They added,
“We have just completed one of the most ambitious listening exercises in a generation to inform a new national youth strategy that will be published later this year. This ensures that young people have a genuine voice and opportunity to shape the policies that affect their lives.”
IFS report on youth club closures and crime
The Institute for Fiscal Studies revealed that youth club shutdowns have led to nearly a 4% drop in exam performance among teenagers.
They also found a 14% increase in crime rates for youths aged 10 to 17 in affected areas.
What did Keir Starmer say about risks facing young people?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently declared that he is supporting young people across Britain.
Following the launch of Adolescence on Netflix, he warned the risks facing young people outside had been “overtaken by a greater danger, which is what’s happening in the home […] in the places where they’re on their own.”
His party pledged £95 million in its election manifesto for Young Futures hubs. These hubs will be staffed by youth workers, mental health support, and careers advisers. However, details of the initiative have yet to be released.
Labour Party youth welfare initiatives
- Young futures hubs
- Mental health in schools
- Expansion of apprenticeships
- Affordable housing for youth
- Youth crime reduction programs
- Digital skills and inclusion