Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits of using the Youth Investment Fund for youth facilities in the Huntingdon constituency.

Applications for the Youth Investment Fund closed in June 2023, with the majority of facilities completed by March 2026. The Youth Investment Fund (YIF) awarded over £300 million to over 250 projects to build, renovate and expand youth provision across some of the less advantaged areas across England. Over £1.1 million was awarded to a project in Huntingdon. YIF is projected to support an additional 45,000 young people to regularly attend activities in funded facilities.

An independent evaluation of the fund is being conducted. One of the three inter-related strands will include an assessment of the fund’s impact and benefits. The first interim report was published on 28 August 2025 and this can be found on GOV.UK.

On 10 July 2026, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport launched the delivery partner competition for the Youth Matters Fund. The Youth Matters Fund will provide over £400 million to enable youth organisations across the country to deliver high-quality youth work and activities, as well as refurbish or build up to 250 youth facilities. Further details will be available in due course.