Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps are being taken to ensure close cross-departmental working to maximise the effectiveness of Young Futures Hubs.

The Young Futures Programme is a cross-Government programme overseen by a Ministerial board, which I chair and includes Ministers from DfE, Home Office, MoJ and DHSC. Officials from these departments are also working together closely to gather evidence and ensure the Young Futures Prevention Partnerships and Young Futures Hubs work in practice.

While offers vary to meet local needs, Early Adopters are already demonstrating strong partnerships through participation in Young Futures Panels, co-locating mental health services and links with Youth Employment Hubs. We are learning from these Early Adopters to inform future guidance and support from central government.

I regularly speak to my colleagues across Government on Youth policy including chairing a cross-government meeting to inform the National Youth Strategy last year. Young Futures Hubs are part of ‘Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy’, the first cross-government Strategy for young people in England in 15 years.