Labour commits to consult on the implementation of a statutory youth service at youth summit
|
New analysis by Labour shows that total expenditure on services for
young people have received a real terms funding cut of £765m
between 2011/12 and 2017/18. Cat Smith MP, Shadow Minister for
Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, will attend a youth summit
where she will commit to consult on the implementation of a
statutory youth service. This will ensure that young people in
every local authority have access to youth provision, services and
facilities so that every young...Request free trial
New analysis by Labour shows that total expenditure on services for young people have received a real terms funding cut of £765m between 2011/12 and 2017/18. Cat Smith MP, Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, will attend a youth summit where she will commit to consult on the implementation of a statutory youth service. This will ensure that young people in every local authority have access to youth provision, services and facilities so that every young person has the opportunity to play a full part in our communities.
Cat Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, said: “Years of damaging Tory cuts and the systematic removal of youth services has left a generation of young people without the opportunity to play a full part in our communities. “The need for a statutory duty for every local authority to provide a minimum level of youth provision has never been stronger, which is why Labour will consult on the implementation of a statutory youth service. “Rebuilding our youth service requires urgent action and fresh thinking. We look forward to working young people, youth workers and communities as we prepare for Government.” Notes to editors Labour hosts opposition roundtable discussion with ChooseYouth on the importance of youth service and the creation of a statutory youth service. https://www.chooseyouth.org/ Attendees:
Representatives from:
Currently there is no statutory obligation placed on local authorities to provide a youth service. This has meant that councils when faced with Government austerity cuts have chosen to cut vital services for young people. New analysis by Labour shows that total expenditure on services for young people have received a real terms funding cut of £765m between 2011/12 and 2017/18.
Sources: DfE, Planned LA and school expenditure, 2017-18, 21 September 2017, (figures for 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15),https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/planned-la-and-school-expenditure-2017-to-2018-financial-year DfE, LA and school expenditure 2013-14, 11 December 2014, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-education-and-childrens-services-spending-2013-to-2014 DfE, LA and school expenditure 2012-13, 12 December 2013, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/la-and-school-expenditure-financial-year-2012-to-2013 DfE, LA and school expenditure 2011-12, 24 January 2013, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/expenditure-on-education-children-and-young-peoples-services-academic-year-2011-to-2012 DfE, LA and school expenditure 2010-11, 25 January 2012, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-and-school-expenditure-on-education-childrens-services-and-social-care-2010-to-2011 HMT GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP March 2018, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp-march-2018-quarterly-national-accounts Under the Conservatives, over 600 youth centres have closed, over 3,500 youth work jobs have gone and 140,000 places for young people have been cut (Unison, A future at risk: Cuts in youth services, 12 August 2016, https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2016/08/23996.pdf).
Labour commits to consult on the implementation of a statutory youth service. This would require every local authority to provide youth provision, services and facilities to young people resident within the local authority area. The purposes of the youth service would be to (a) ensure the personal and social development of young people; (b) secure active involvement by young people in relevant activities and local decision-making; and (c) assist young people to realise their full potential and play a full part in the community. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||