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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to phase 1 of the Youth Investment Fund, what her timeframe is for the allocation of funds to successful applicants.

Phase 1 of the Youth Investment Fund is providing funding for local youth organisations in 45 local authorities and around 600 district wards in levelling up priority areas in parts of England, to expand the reach and range of services they offer. Funding for phase 1 of the Youth Investment Fund is currently being allocated to successful applicants by BBC Children in Need, the Intermediary Grant Maker, with the requirement to demonstrate funding has been spent by the end of March 2022. An applicant's ability to spend funding in this timeframe was a key criterion in the assessment process.