A recent survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) has revealed a concerning trend: two-thirds of councils have not increased spending on youth services in the past five years.
This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for fresh investment in local grassroots provision for young people.
Over the past five years, 61% of councils reported that their revenue expenditure on youth services has either stayed the same or decreased. Nearly 90% of councils indicated that they require government funding to support investment in youth services. Despite financial pressures, 42% of councils plan to increase the number of hours of youth service support offered over the next three years.
As the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Liverpool comes to an end, the LGA has advocated for the reallocation of funds previously dedicated to the National Citizen Service (NCS). The NCS, which had a budget of £54.2 million for the current financial year, is being phased out. The LGA argues that these funds should be devolved to councils to bolster local youth services.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, emphasised the critical role of youth services: “Youth services provide essential support to young people, providing them with a safe place, trusted relationships, positive life experiences and stopping them from being drawn into negative situations and reducing demand for acute services further down the line.
"Councils are striving to provide youth services amid severe financial constraints but lack sufficient resources to invest in these, and so are reliant on the wider sector to support them.
“Without adequate funding, many local youth services are under threat, and remain at risk of being reduced or in danger of being cut altogether. To protect these essential services, increased funding is urgently needed, such as reallocating resources from the National Citizen Service.
“Alongside this, expanding open-access youth hubs nationwide is crucial to offering young people safe, supportive spaces that also support their mental health needs.”
The LGA highlighted a stark decline in funding for youth services, with a real-terms reduction of 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23. This significant decrease has left many local youth services under threat, with some at risk of being cut altogether.
The LGA is calling for increased central government investment to ensure councils have the resources needed to invest in youth services. They also advocate for the creation of open access youth hubs that would respond to local needs and be developed in collaboration with young people, providing safe and supportive spaces.
Councils are seen as key players in supporting the Government’s ambition to break down barriers to opportunity. With their local knowledge and partnerships, councils are best placed to deliver the services their communities need.
The LGA’s survey and subsequent call to action highlight the pressing need for increased investment in youth services. By reallocating funds from the NCS and investing in open access youth hubs, the Government can ensure that young people across the UK have access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
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