Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Callum Anderson and Stephanie Peacock

Thursday 27th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Callum Anderson (Buckingham and Bletchley) (Lab)]

2. What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on funding for youth services in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)]

We regularly engage with colleagues across Government on issues that affect young people, especially through the development of our national youth strategy. This year alone we are investing over £145 million to deliver projects that reflect young people’s priorities across our country.

[Callum Anderson]

Bletchley youth centre has been a trusted hub for our town for over 60 years, supporting 400 young people in the town every week by providing affordable activities and outreach to prevent antisocial behaviour, but that service has been stretched due to years of underfunding by the previous Government. There is hope, however, with the new Labour Government and their youth strategy. Will the Minister set out what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Bletchley youth centre and others like it receive the support that they need to help our young people?

[Stephanie Peacock]

Our national youth strategy focuses on rebuilding youth services so that young people have access to people who care, something to do and places to go. A key aspect of our forthcoming youth strategy will be to ensure that funding goes to grassroots organisations such as Bletchley youth centre, and I would be delighted to visit when my diary allows.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Callum Anderson and Stephanie Peacock

Thursday 3rd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Callum Anderson (Buckingham and Bletchley) (Lab)]

T4. Grassroots football clubs such as Bletchley Scot FC are inspiring the next generation of girls and boys to take up the beautiful game. When I visited them last month, they told me that securing funding for modern sports facilities was their top priority, but that engaging with the Football Association was incredibly challenging. Can the Minister set out what steps she is taking to work with the FA at the local and national levels?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)]

Our investment through the multi-sport grassroots facilities programme is delivered through the Football Foundation in England, which engages with local Football Association and community stakeholders to identify needs in each area. I encourage clubs such as Bletchley Scot FC to approach the Football Foundation directly to explore potential funding opportunities, and I am very happy to set up a meeting for my hon. Friend.