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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many youth centres have closed in England since 2010

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to allocate funding to youth services in line with local need. This is funded from the Local Government settlement, which is anticipated to be almost £60 billion next year (FY 23/24). DCMS is committed to working with Youth Sector organisations and Local Authorities to complete the review of the Local Authority Statutory Duty Guidance for Youth Services.

The Government recognises the vital role that youth services and activities play in improving the life chances and wellbeing of young people.The Government has committed to a National Youth Guarantee: that by 2025, every young person will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. This is supported by a three-year investment of over £500 million in youth services, reflecting young people's priorities and addressing the inconsistencies in national youth spending with a firm focus on levelling up.

Over £300 million of this investment has been dedicated to Phase 2 of the Youth Investment Fund, which will enable up to 300 youth facilities to be built or refurbished over the next three years in some of the less advantaged areas of England. The fund is currently open for bids.

In addition, we are working with the National Youth Agency, who are conducting a National Youth Sector Census, a survey of all youth sector provision across England. It aims to capture an accurate picture of youth services and out of school activities.