Uniformed youth groups: Promoting Skills and Resilience in Young People

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Mohammed of Tinsley

Monday 26th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I agree with the points the noble Lord raised around the value of uniformed youth groups. One of the things our new funding arrangements will do is support the development of volunteers. I will be very happy to share some examples and discuss that further with him.

[Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (LD)]

My Lords, I echo comments made earlier in your Lordships’ Chamber about the invaluable service that uniformed youth services provide, particularly when it comes to life skills and experiences. How can the Government change policies to get more young people involved in these organisations so that more young people benefit from this and stand a better chance in the world of employment?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The new national youth strategy has been developed with young people precisely to make sure that the Government are directing funding towards areas that young people themselves have identified. One of the most difficult findings from some of the work done in the run-up to the launch of the national youth strategy was around the isolation and loneliness faced by so many young people. The strategy is a 10-year plan to make sure that every young person across the country has somewhere to go, somewhere that cares for them and a community they feel part of.

Independent Football Regulator

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Mohammed of Tinsley

Tuesday 18th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am pleased that, despite the potential distractions around the process, there is pretty much universal support for David Kogan and the incredible range of skills and experience he brings to this role. The Secretary of State was clear that she will own up when she gets things wrong, as will this Government. As she said, when we make mistakes—and we will make mistakes; we are human beings—we will put ourselves through those independent processes, which are there for a reason, and take the consequences.

[Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (LD)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a long-suffering Sheffield Wednesday supporter. Now that the regulator is in post, is the Minister assuring us that there will never be another debacle like the one we have seen at Sheffield Wednesday?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I would love to say that there will never be another debacle like the one we have seen at Sheffield Wednesday. It has clearly been a very difficult time for the club, its players and fans, and, no doubt, the noble Lord. We have established the Independent Football Regulator, following the incredible work by the former Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, on her fan-led review, to make sure that we introduce much stronger financial regulation, which will improve the financial resilience of clubs across the country and across the football pyramid. We are really keen that fans will be at the heart of football, where they rightly belong.