The Government has announced the release of £40m in order to help boost the skills and life chances of young people living in disadvantaged areas.

Minister for sport and civil society Tracey Crouch today said the money would benefit 300,000 young people.

The Youth Investment Fund — made up of Whitehall and money from the Big Lottery Fund — will be shared by 86 youth organisations in East London, Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, Tees Valley and Sunderland, Bristol & Somerset and Eastern Counties over the next three years.

‘This investment from the Government and National Lottery players will have a transformational effect on the lives of some of our most disadvantaged young people,’ said Ms Crouch.

‘It will help thousands who might otherwise have gone under the radar flourish.

‘Local voluntary and community youth organisations already do so much fantastic work and this £40m will enrich the lives of many more young people throughout England.’

Commenting on the funding, Dawn Austwick, chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund said: ‘The Youth Investment Fund is a welcome boost for the many great community organisations that work with young people locally.

‘Money raised by National Lottery players creates opportunities for young people to build on their talents and strengths and the Youth Investment Fund is an important part of the jigsaw for the youth sector.’