Uniformed youth groups: Promoting Skills and Resilience in Young People

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Excerpts

Monday 26th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I think “Be prepared” could usefully be used as a motto for Ministers standing at the Dispatch Box in your Lordships’ House as well. There is clearly a role played by cadet forces and other uniformed youth organisations in the broader resilience piece. However, a thread that goes through all our policies on youth is around that resilience that young people so desperately need. All noble Lords from across the House will be aware of the crisis that so many people are feeling, and we want to make sure they feel equipped for the challenges they may face in the future.

[Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con)]

The Minister said in her initial Answer that the last Conservative Government set up the uniformed youth fund to give young people these life-changing skills and opportunities, and I was glad to hear about the evaluation she mentioned. It is sad, therefore, that the fund is ending in March. In the transition to the new funding arrangements, can she guarantee—as she said in response to her noble friend—that all of the organisations, including the Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance, the Guides, the Scouts and others, will continue to receive funding support so that young people can continue to have these life-changing opportunities?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I have committed to my noble friend to take the point about transitional funding back to the department. However, as the noble Lord will be aware, the uniformed youth fund was announced in the immediate aftermath of Covid and was intended to allow the groups to set up additional units. It was only ever intended to run until 2025. Therefore, the additional year has been while we have been setting up the programmes and funds under the new national youth strategy, which we are proud to say we have co-produced with young people. That is why the focus has shifted to a different way of rolling out funds.