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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department provides financial assistance to (a) uniformed youth organisations and (b) youth sports teams to enable them to provide (i) uniforms and (ii) sports kits at a reduced or no cost to children from families on low incomes.

The Government recognises the vital role that youth services and activities play in improving the life chances and wellbeing of young people.

We have guaranteed that by 2025, every young person in England will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities. This is supported by over £500 million of investment in youth services.

As part of the National Youth Guarantee, in October 2022 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport awarded an initial £1.5 million to kickstart the Uniformed Youth Fund, targeting less advantaged areas of the country, with a further £16.9 million of funding launched in November to tackle existing teenager waiting lists. To date, over 2,000 new places have been created for young people in uniformed youth groups across England.

We recognise that not being able to access essential kit can act as a barrier to those wishing to participate in sport. Sport England has a number of funds that can provide support in this instance, including the £20 million Together Fund which was set up to reduce the negative impact of coronavirus and help community groups working with priority groups. Part of this funding was put towards providing kit to children who were not able to access the essentials required to participate.