Labour are warning that the Conservatives are set to break their manifesto promise to fund youth services, failing a generation of young people.

New analysis by the House of Commons Library reveals that average spending per 16-24 year old in England has fallen from £142 in 2011/12 to just £56 in 2018/19 – down 60 per cent. In the most deprived areas spending fell by two thirds, while the least deprived areas saw spending fall by just over half. The Government has inflicted 73 per cent cut to youth service funding since 2010.

The North West has seen one of the biggest falls in spending with a cut of 67 per cent or £87m.

This week, youth organisations and charities across the country sent out an emergency plea for funding, with many at the brink of collapse.Labour have today called on the Government to stick to their manifesto pledge to provide £500 million to youth services by April 2020, and deliver this critical fund to prevent yet more youth centres being forced to close. 

Leaders in the youth sector have been pressing for the Youth Investment Fund to be released since before the pandemic, in order to rebuild and refurbish the devastated service.

Cat Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Young People, stated:

“Youth services are a vital lifeline for young people, particularly those living in areas of deprivation. But with government cuts year on year, hundreds of youth centres have closed in every region, leaving young people isolated at this very difficult time”.

“The Government pledged this funding over a year ago, yet not a penny has been spent.

“Youth services desperately need the Youth Investment Fund given how much has been stripped away from them over the last decade by the Conservatives.”

“Whilst the Tories keep breaking their promises to young people, a generation are being let down.”

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