Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support Debate
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Matt Rodda
Main Page: Matt Rodda (Labour - Reading Central)Department Debates - View all Matt Rodda's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support
Matt Rodda Excerpts(1 day, 15 hours ago)
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Harpreet Uppal
The hon. Member is absolutely right that faith organisations and voluntary organisations play a huge part in the youth services that we deliver.
Trained youth workers create trusted relationships, offering safe spaces where young people can explore their interests, develop a sense of identity and, importantly, feel supported. Youth provision is also about giving young people the tools to lead happy, healthy and productive lives.
I want to recognise the steps that the Government have taken in this area. Initiatives such as the national youth strategy for England and the young futures hubs aim to bring together targeted support for young people, and they reflect a growing understanding of the importance of youth services. However, we must also be honest about the challenges we face.
Matt Rodda (Reading Central) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan. May I just say how wonderful this debate is? I very much appreciate my hon. Friend’s work in securing it. I also commend the work of the voluntary sector, of local authorities, and of church groups and other faith communities. In particular, they provide much-needed targeted support on very difficult issues such as mental health. That is much appreciated in many communities across the country.
Harpreet Uppal
My hon. Friend is absolutely correct, and I will come on to mental health.
Fourteen years of Conservative Governments have resulted in a £1.2 billion real-terms reduction in local authority spending on youth services in England since 2010.