Government launches £500 million youth strategy

The government has announced £500 million of investment into the National Youth Strategy, the first in 15 years to be published.

The plan aims to rebuild youth services over the next decade. 

Youth Matters has been co-produced with more than 14,000 young people across England through a ‘State of the Nation’ survey.

Figures show that local government spending on youth services fell by 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with more than 1,000 youth centres closing and over 4,500 youth worker roles being lost.

£500 million of funding will build or refurbish up to 250 youth facilities over the next four years, as well as providing equipment for activities to around 2500 youth organisations, through a new £350 million ‘Better Youth Spaces’ programme. This will provide safe and welcoming spaces, offering young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing.

The money will also be spent on launching a network of 50 Young Futures Hubs by March 2029 as part of a local transformation programme of  £70 million, providing access to youth workers and other professionals, supporting their wellbeing and career development and preventing them from harm. The first eight hubs will open by March 2026, in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton and Hove.

A Richer Young Loves Fund, worth over £60 million will support organisations in underserved areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities and there will be a £22.5 million programme of support around the school day in up to 400 schools to boost young people's wellbeing, personal development, and essential life skills.

£15 million will be used to recruit and train youth workers and volunteers and £5 million will strengthen youth services, through  improved local partnerships, better information sharing, and digital infrastructure.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “As a dad and as Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation’s greatest responsibility to turn the tide on the lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage. It is our moral mission. 

“Today, my government sets out a clear, ambitious and deliverable plan - investing in the next generation so that every child has the chance to see their talents take them as far as their ability can.” 

“That is also why we will ensure that if you choose an apprenticeship, you will have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else, as we get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The challenges facing young people today are urgent and demand a major change in direction. For too long, youth policy has been an afterthought. This generation deserves better.

“Young people are the most digitally connected but also the most isolated in generations with many wanting more meaningful real life connections. Young people have been crystal clear in speaking up in our consultation: they need support for their mental health, spaces to meet with people in their communities and real opportunities to thrive. We will give them what they want. Today’s National Youth Strategy puts young people at the heart of decision-making and begins to rebuild the youth services that were decimated over the past decade.

“From Young Futures Hubs in local communities to hundreds of millions of pounds invested in youth facilities to transforming the services that support them - we will give young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing. They have spoken - now we’re delivering for them.”