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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of local authority spending on youth services.

The Government recognises the importance of local youth services. That’s why in England, between 2015 - 2021, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport provided over £1.1 billion to the youth sector. Furthermore, over this Spending Review Period, DCMS is investing over £500 million in youth services to deliver the National Youth Guarantee, a government commitment that by 2025, every young person will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer.

Additionally, local authorities have a statutory duty to provide funding for youth services in line with local needs, and the Government worked closely with local authorities to set out updated statutory guidance to support these efforts.