Warning lights flashing over National Youth Strategy

UK Youth has welcomed the Government’s commitment to a National Youth Strategy – but is concerned there are already red warning lights flashing. 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has today pledged the new strategy “to break down barriers to opportunity for young people”, but at the same time announced the end of the National Citizen Service.

Ms Nandy said: “For too long, the nation’s young people have been deprived of a meaningful seat at the table in the decisions that directly impact their lives.

“Through the co-production of a new National Youth Strategy, we will put young people back in charge of their own destiny, starting with better understanding of their lives and needs. 

“This will allow us to shape policy that not only keeps up with the rapidly evolving challenges of today, but is also effective in ensuring that opportunity for young people is abundant in every postcode.”

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the strategy will “prioritise delivering better coordinated youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level”.

This follows last week’s Joined Up Summit, convened by UK Youth, which called for more joined up services for young people. The summit welcomed more than 500 leaders and decision-makers from the worlds of employment, social care, criminal justice, business and the Government as well as health, education and youth work, alongside 16-25-year-olds, in a bid to build a brighter future for young people, by putting their needs first. 

UK Youth has welcomed the Government’s commitment to the National Youth Strategy, but warned the announcements are “worryingly under-resourced”. 

Jacob Diggle, UK Youth Chief Impact Officer said: “The announcement of a National Youth Strategy, co-produced with young people, signals a welcome move towards joining up the government’s work and trusting young people with real power.  

“The Secretary of State rightly praised youth workers and the life-changing work they do. Her commitment to supporting and growing the workforce will be appreciated by youth organisations across the country. As will her commitment to improving collaboration between different professionals supporting young people. 

“We welcome the government’s support for local authorities to reverse cuts to youth services, through the ‘Local Youth Transformation Pilot’. However, after 15 years of devastating cuts to local government youth work funding – cut by three-quarters since 2010 – the scale of transformation required will take major investment not just guidance. 

“Today’s announcements are worryingly under-resourced and this threatens the mission on take-off. 

“The closure of the NCS and lack of renewal of the Youth Investment Fund will take hundreds of millions of pounds out of the sector, which is already on its knees. This includes funding for about 250 youth organisations which were expecting NCS funding from April next year. Closing, rather than repurposing, the NCS will risk wasting millions of pounds and years of momentum.” 

The Government also announced £100 million from the Dormant Assets Fund to “support the provision of services, facilities and opportunities for young people across the country”.   

However, Jacob said: “The Dormant Assets money announced today was already committed by the previous government. It is good that young people remain a focus, but we are still waiting for detail on what this will actually deliver.  

“There was about £26 million of new money announced for the ‘Better Youth Spaces’ fund today. This will support youth organisations with renovations and equipment. However, the sector desperately needs funds to support operating costs, not just capital investment.  

“Buildings are no good without the skilled and trusted adults who provide youth work in them. 

“UK Youth stands ready to support the government to deliver on its ambitions for young people, but it needs to play its part too. The consultation on the National Youth Strategy must not be an excuse to delay the urgent action required to support young people and the youth sector. Young people must not be strung along with false promises. Warm words alone won’t cut it.

“There is already so much that the youth sector and young people know is needed, as highlighted by last week’s Joined Up Summit. The Government should be acting on what the evidence already shows us works for young people. There is no time for delay.”  

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes