Laura Sharman 06 November 2020

Councils call for devolution of National Citizen Service funding

Only one in six eligible young people are taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS), leading to calls for the Government to devolve its funding to local youth services instead.

The Local Government Association (LGA) pointed out that the NCS received 95% of the Government’s youth services budget. Last year, the number of participants in NCS fell by 8%.

It is calling for this funding to be devolved to councils so they can provide year-round provision to all young people.

Cllr Judith Blake, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: ‘While the NCS programme has value and should continue, it is wrong that nearly all of the Government’s funding for youth services is being spent on a time-limited programme which attracts only a small number of participants and cannot replace year-round provision for young people of all ages.

The Government needs to devolve some of the funding from the programme to councils to enable them to provide the services that local young people want and need all the time, such as giving them safe places to meet, diverting them away from crime or supporting them to succeed in school, training or employment.’

The LGA is also calling for the Government to make its £500m Youth Investment Fund available as soon as possible to help boost youth services.

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner