Chancellor of the Exchequer has today announced an
ambitious new investment in the next generation with a
£500million commitment to youth centres and programmes.
The new Youth Investment Fund will build new youth centres,
refurbish existing youth facilities and provide high quality
service for young people. This level of funding could see up to
60 new youth centres, 100 new mobile facilities and 360 youth
centres upgraded.
With the objective of providing ‘somewhere to go, something to do
and someone to talk to’, the upgraded youth centre network will
be backed up by a range of activities led by skilled
professionals, and investment in the youth workforce.
Speaking to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester,
Chancellor said:
“We need to do more to level the playing field between
generations, and give all young people the best start in life.
“This ambitious fund will roll out youth centres and services
right across our country, giving millions more young people
opportunities to get ahead in life”.
, the Secretary of State for
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, added:
“I have high ambitions for what this government can achieve for
young people - inspiring them to grow in confidence and
employability, building their character and resilience, while
transforming life chances through sports and the arts.
“I am thrilled that this government is investing £500 million in
new and existing youth centres, as well as high-quality services
right across the country.
“If we wish to use all the great talent in our country it is
vital that we offer opportunities to our next generation, not
just in school but outside the school day.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Youth Investment Fund will cost £500m over five years,
including £68m in 20/21. It consists equally of £250m capital and
£250 resource spending.
The Fund is expected to attract match funding from private, local
authority and third sector sources in the range of hundreds of
millions. The location of the youth centres will be determined
through a process run by DCMS. New centres will be a mix of large
state of the art Youth Zones, such as the Onside model, and more
localised centres.
New and refurbished youth centres need constructive and high
quality activities. This investment deliver a huge range of open
access activities and services including in digital skills, arts
and culture, sports, and social action.
As Home Secretary last year, the Chancellor launched the £200m
Youth Endowment Fund focused on early interventions to stop young
people getting involved in crime.
Announcing his intention for the Youth Investment Fund at this
year’s Spending Round, the Chancellor said:
“Earlier this year, I visited the fantastic Onside Youth Zone in
Barking - a brilliant example of how much Britain’s network of
youth centres add to our communities. Getting young people off
the streets and changing lives for the better.
“So today I’m asking DCMS to develop proposals for a new Youth
Investment Fund, and to set out plans to build more youth
centres, refurbish existing centres, and deliver high quality
services to young people across the country.”
