Government unveils ambitious plan to tackle youth isolation crisis and deliver real life opportunities
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Government plans will offer young people somewhere to go, something
meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing in
moves to strengthen their connections in real life Ambitious
10-year plan to give 500,000 more young people access to a trusted
adult outside their home and equip them with skills to boost their
resilience and stay safe online National Youth Strategy to deliver
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Young people across England will benefit from over £500 million of government investment as the first National Youth Strategy in 15 years is published today, setting out an ambitious delivery plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade. ‘Youth Matters' has been co-produced with more than 14,000 young people across England through a landmark ‘State of the Nation' survey. It represents a fundamental shift in how the government will support young people over the next decade - turning the tide from isolation online, to real life connections. Local Government spending on youth services fell by 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with more than 1,000 youth centres closing and over 4,500 youth worker roles being lost. 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. A centrepiece of the National Youth Strategy centres around additional investment to transform youth services. The government is committing over £500 million of new funding, which will:
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "As a father, a dad and as Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation's greatest responsibility to turn the tide on the lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage. It is our moral mission. "Today, my government sets out a clear, ambitious and deliverable plan - investing in the next generation so that every child has the chance to see their talents take them as far as their ability can." “That is also why we will ensure that if you choose an apprenticeship, you will have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else, as we get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "The challenges facing young people today are urgent and demand a major change in direction. For too long, youth policy has been an afterthought. This generation deserves better. “Young people are the most digitally connected but also the most isolated in generations with many wanting more meaningful real life connections. Young people have been crystal clear in speaking up in our consultation: they need support for their mental health, spaces to meet with people in their communities and real opportunities to thrive. We will give them what they want. Today's National Youth Strategy puts young people at the heart of decision-making and begins to rebuild the youth services that were decimated over the past decade. "From Young Futures Hubs in local communities to hundreds of millions of pounds invested in youth facilities to transforming the services that support them - we will give young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing. They have spoken - now we're delivering for them.” Over the next decade this strategy will also reverse the decline in local government spending with plans for:
What young people said The measures respond directly to the landmark ‘State of the Nation' survey commissioned by the Culture Secretary, and published alongside the strategy today. It sets out the reality of what it is like to grow up in England in 2025, painting a vivid picture of their experiences growing up in a world shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost of living crisis, an always-on digital world, and ongoing global uncertainty. It reveals stark concerns from young people about a lack of mental health support, growing social isolation and an absence of youth services in their communities. While young people today are the most digitally connected generation, the report highlights that they face unprecedented levels of isolation, among the highest globally. They want more opportunities to connect in person safe spaces to go to, better mental health support, guidance for their education and careers, greater access to enriching activities and opportunities, and tools to engage positively online and offline. Building on recent investment The National Youth Strategy marks the start of a decade of sustained investment in young people, building on:
ENDS
Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO of the National Youth Agency: “The National Youth Strategy puts young people at the centre of change, reflecting what they have said they need: safe spaces, trusted adults, and real opportunities to thrive. Youth work is essential in delivering these plans, and the Strategy makes that clear. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure this ambition is matched with action, delivering equity and lasting improvements for every young person.” Alex Holmes OBE, The Diana Award: “For a quarter of a century The Diana Award has shown what happens when you back young people with trust, resources and a platform. It's been inspiring to see this National Youth Strategy built with young people, not just for them. The next 10 years must be about turning their ideas into action and giving young people the tools and confidence to hold us, as adults and institutions, to the promises we've made.” Jonathan Hopkins, Centre for Young Lives (member of the DCMS Expert Advisory Group): “This is a strategy by young people, for young people that we all benefit from. It is a generational shift in how young people are seen and heard. Backed by commitments like Young Futures to turn lives around, it will deliver a more confident and close knit society.” Dan Lawes, CEO of My Life My Say: “I've seen firsthand that the greatest successes of the National Youth Strategy come from one simple principle: putting young people at the centre. Its strength lies in the fact that youth voices didn't just contribute to its composition — they shaped its direction, its priorities and its purpose. By listening to young people every step of the way, we've created a strategy that is not only credible and representative, but one that I hope will deliver real, lasting change.” Paul Lindley, entrepreneur, campaigner, author: “This Youth Strategy puts young people exactly where they belong — at the heart of decisions that shape their lives. By rebuilding the local places, services and relationships that help them feel seen, supported and able to belong, it tackles the postcode lottery of opportunity and invests in a generation whose potential is extraordinary.” Sophie Pender, Founder, The 93% Club: “The National Youth Strategy represents hope: targeted investment in the working class communities too often overlooked. It strengthens our mission to show the state schoolers, the kids on the council estates, the ones whose youth has been shaped by limited resources, that they matter too.” Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy, Centre for Mental Health: “The National Youth Strategy is an important cross-government opportunity to strengthen young people's mental health. Trusted adults, safe community spaces and early support are all key to preventing mental health problems escalating. By expanding these opportunities nationwide, the strategy can help ensure every young person feels supported, connected and able to thrive.” Zafeera Karim, Member of Youth Parliament, said: "From a teacher, I learned, 'If someone says you are the future, say no. I am the present; I have things to do now.' Those words resonate because young people are already acting, supporting one another, and taking on responsibilities that often go unseen. This National Youth Strategy matters because it has the potential to listen to these realities, address structural barriers, center voices too often excluded from decision-making, and provide practical support that engages with the work already happening. My hope is that this strategy will recognise what young people and their communities are already doing today and strengthen this work with sincerity at its origin and soundness in its fulfillment to create responsible, lasting change." Notes to editors:
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