National Youth Strategy

Baroness Wheatcroft Excerpts

Thursday 23rd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

If I was being ungenerous, I would refer to previous black holes that have been a matter of debate from this Bench. We are investing a significant amount of funding in and behind the strategy. We have over £400 million to improve access to enriching activities and youth work and for refurbishing or building up to 250 youth facilities. We have £22.5 million for a new programme to create brilliant enrichment offers in up to 400 schools. We are investing £15 million in youth workers, volunteers and other trusted adults. We are investing in rebuilding local youth services and establishing a network of 50 Young Futures hubs. We have £5 million to improve youth infrastructure at local and regional levels. That is before you even get to the funding coming through the dormant assets scheme. We are funding this. When you look at how important some of these activities are, including the sea cadets—my brothers were sea cadets in a landlocked county as well—you have to put the money behind it. We are doing that. The previous Government did not.

[Baroness Wheatcroft (CB)]

Does the Minister agree that one of the most widening experiences for children is to experience other cultures and countries? One of the most effective things to broaden the minds of youngsters is therefore exchange visits with other countries—perhaps predominantly in Europe because it is closer, but with any country. What are the Government doing to expand the exchange visit programme?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I benefited from an exchange, although I admit that I hated my French exchange. We are supporting this in a number of ways—through Erasmus and exchange programmes. We are pushing the Erasmus scheme beyond the university route, which I am delighted that we are doing. Unlike my French exchange, I had a good experience when I was a student studying abroad. It not only enriches people’s studies but gives young people the opportunity to understand the importance of speaking languages—I answered a Question last week about minority languages in this country.