Asked by: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the current allocation for youth programmes is reportedly less than the £191.8 million allocated in 2021, according to analysis by UK Youth.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We fully recognise the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential.
We also, however, acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the changing needs of the young people it supports. That is why this government has launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which will be developed together with young people and the youth sector.
We also committed to maintaining or increasing funding for our other youth programmes, following the closure of NCS. DCMS will invest £145 million in youth programmes in 2025-26, which is consistent with funding in 24/25, taking into consideration the planned tapering of the Youth Investment Fund. This investment will provide stability to the youth sector and ensure young people can access opportunities, as we transition to the National Youth Strategy. This includes over £28 million to increase access to more and better enriching activities, over £3 million to increase sector and workforce capacity, £8.2 million to improve local youth offers, and over £107 million to invest in ensuring safe, welcoming, fit-for purpose youth centres.
Additionally, on 2nd June we announced £132.5 million of Dormant Assets Funding will be allocated to support the provision of services, facilities or opportunities to meet the needs of young people. This will increase disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.
Asked by: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the potential effects of reduced youth work funding on youth centres, employment of youth workers, and the availability of safe spaces for young people.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government recognises the transformative role that youth services play in young people’s lives. We know that youth workers are vital to these services, building trusted relationships and creating safe spaces for young people. We also, however, acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the changing needs of the young people it supports. That is why this government has launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which will be developed together with young people and the youth sector. The Strategy will be published in the autumn.
DCMS will invest £145 million in youth programmes in 2025-26, which is consistent with funding in 24/25. This investment will provide stability to the youth sector and ensure young people can access opportunities, as we transition to the National Youth Strategy.
We have commissioned research to assess the impact of reductions of youth services, including the 2023 ‘Youth Provision and Life Outcomes research’ which aimed to understand the impact youth clubs have on local areas.
Asked by: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the promised national youth strategy will be published; and how they will address the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding funding and support for youth services.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the changing needs of the young people it supports. That is why this government has launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which will be developed together with young people and the youth sector. The new National Youth Strategy is being co-produced with cross-sector input from stakeholders working with and for young people, particularly drawing on the connections and expertise of the youth sector. We have run engagement sessions in partnership with a range of services, to ensure the strategy can advise and support the youth sector effectively.
This strategy will aim to better coordinate youth services, as well as move away from one-size-fits all approaches from central government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector.
We will be publishing the strategy in the autumn.
Asked by: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to assess the effectiveness of government-funded youth programmes.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We conduct and commission a number of robust evaluations, surveys and research projects to assess the effectiveness of government-funded youth programmes. Each evaluation follows Central Government guidance for evaluation detailed in the Magenta Book. Monitoring and evaluation is embedded into programme design and youth evaluations explore a variety of questions, often including the impact of programmes and their effectiveness. Progress in delivering evaluations is reported as part of youth programme governance structures and evaluation reports are published on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are being taken to ensure grassroots youth organisations receive adequate funding and support to prevent closures and job losses in the sector.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In a written statement on 15 May 2025, the Secretary of State announced an investment of over £145 million in 2025/26 in youth programmes, to provide stability to the youth sector as we transition to a new National Youth Strategy, which includes funding for grassroots youth organisations. Further details on individual programmes will be shared in due course.
Additionally, on 2nd June we announced £132.5 million of Dormant Assets Funding will be allocated to support the provision of services, facilities or opportunities to meet the needs of young people. This will increase disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.
Following the recent spending review, future funding commitments will be dependent on the Business Planning process.
Asked by: Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how the remaining £79.4 million of the previously allocated Youth Investment Fund is being utilised; and what criteria are being used to distribute these funds effectively.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In a written statement on 15 May 2025, the Secretary of State announced an investment of over £145 million in 2025/26 in youth programmes, to provide stability to the youth sector as we transition to a new National Youth Strategy.
The package of funding includes £79.4 million of the reprofiled Youth Investment Fund. The allocation of £59.3 million of capital and £20.1 million of revenue funding will ensure the successful delivery of new and refurbished youth facilities scheduled for completion in 2025/26. This includes the pipeline of 25 Modern Methods of Construction projects.
The Youth Investment Fund is a targeted fund aimed at youth services in some of the less advantaged areas of England. The eligible areas were identified and ranked using a combination of publicly available data for youth need and low provision.