Youth Provision: Universal and Targeted Support

Paulette Hamilton Excerpts
Tuesday 11th February 2025

(1 day, 12 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
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Harpreet Uppal Portrait Harpreet Uppal
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I agree with my hon. Friend that we need more investment in youth services, and I am sure the Minister has heard the point about statutory provision.

I know from recent meetings with incredible organisations working in this space that the young futures hubs pilot is hugely welcomed, and they would appreciate confirmation from the Minister of the timeline for delivery of the hubs. In addition, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award team are calling for a universal enrichment guarantee that offers 80 hours of enrichment activity per year, giving all young people regular access to positive activities. I hope the Minister will look into that new policy from the Duke of Edinburgh’s award team.

The benefits of investing in youth services are clear. As the Labour party manifesto said,

“nothing says more about the state of a nation than the wellbeing of its children.”

Paulette Hamilton Portrait Paulette Hamilton (Birmingham Erdington) (Lab)
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I thank my hon. Friend for securing the debate. In Birmingham Erdington, we have a high proportion of young people with poor access to youth services and shockingly high youth knife crime statistics. Does she agree that the youth funding crisis must be urgently resolved?

Harpreet Uppal Portrait Harpreet Uppal
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I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and I hope we can work together on that issue in the future.