It is vital that every young person has access to excellent facilities that provide them with opportunities to develop skills and socialise.
This generation of young people are the most connected, but are also the most isolated.
This Government have launched the first cross-government youth strategy in England in 15 years: ‘Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy’.
The landmark 10-year plan is designed to ensure every young person across the country has someone who cares, somewhere to go, and a community they feel part of.
Young people across England will benefit from over £500 million of government investment, setting out an ambitious delivery plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade.
‘Youth Matters’ has been co-produced with young people and the sector. It draws together the voices of more than 14,000 young people across England through a landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey, and I have been pleased to meet with a number of groups in Barnsley South as part of the production of this strategy.
Local Government spending on youth services fell by 73 percent between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with more than 1,000 youth centres closing and over 4,500 youth worker roles being lost.
This Government will support young people over the next decade – turning the tide from isolation online, to real life connections, and delivering for young people in their communities across the country.
I was pleased to visit Base 71, Barnsley’s Youth Zone opening in January. It was great to see some of the services it will offer- from rock climbing and sport, to cooking and beauty therapy.
Thanks to Barnsley Council’s introduction of free travel across the borough for under 18s, young people will be able to travel to this brilliant facility for free.
There are other excellent opportunities for young people across Barnsley to get involved with, from our world-class Barnsley Youth Choir to grassroots football clubs, to groups like Barnsley Youth Council.
However sadly, this is not the case for young people in every community after years of cuts to youth workers and facilities.
The Prime Minister has spoken of young people being “collateral damage” over the past decade and how this must be turned around, with the Government investing in the potential of young people – offering them the chance for real life connections to support their talent and potential.
The government is committing over £500 million of new funding to transform youth services, which will:
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Build or refurbish up to 250 youth facilities over the next four years, as well as providing equipment for activities to around 2500 youth organisations, through a new £350 million ‘Better Youth Spaces’ programme. It will provide safe spaces, offering young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing.
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Launch a network of 50 Young Futures Hubs by March 2029 as part of a local transformation programme of £70 million, providing access to youth workers and other professionals, supporting their wellbeing and career development and preventing them from harm.
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Support organisations in underserved areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities through a ‘Richer Young Lives Fund’ worth over £60 million.
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Boost young people’s wellbeing, personal development, and essential life skills through a new £22.5 million programme of support in up to 400 schools.
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Recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other trusted adults with £15 million of investment.
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Strengthen youth services through £5 million to improve local partnerships, better information sharing, and digital infrastructure, ensuring young people receive high-quality, safe, and effective support in their communities.
I am proud that it is this Labour Government that is taking the steps that young people across the country need, ensuring that they have somewhere safe to go, and that they feel supported in their communities.