William Eichler 25 September 2019

Youth service spending set to hit ‘lowest point in a generation’

The young persons charity YMCA has warned that spending on local youth services is at ‘breaking point’ with a nearly 70% decrease in funding in a decade.

An analysis of 84 councils across England reveals that while the average spend on youth services per local authority in 2010 was £7.79m, planned average spend for 2019/20 is just £2.45m.

This represents a 69% decline in spending.

according to YMCA, 29% of local authorities have planned cuts that would see their spending on youth services decline by 80% since 2010/11,.

The vast majority of local authorities (83%) have planned to cut their funding in half over the nine-year period.

‘Youth services offer a vital lifeline within local communities, providing young people with support, advice and a place to go when they need it most,’ said Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England & Wales.

‘The year-on-year cuts to youth services are not without consequences and we are already seeing the impact of these cuts in communities across the country.’

YMCA also found that there were quite a few areas with planned spending cuts of 80% or more. Liverpool, for example, is planning cuts of 86%, and Southampton and Gateshead are planning 94% and 96% cuts respectively.

The chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Judith Blake, warns that because of Government cuts and demand pressures councils have had to divert money from youth services to children’s social care.

They have been forced to cut spending on youth services, by 52%, from £652m in 2010/11 to £352m in 2017/18, she said.

Referring to the YMCA report, Cllr Blake added: ‘This report provides further evidence of the need for adequate funding for councils’ youth services to make sure that every young person gets the support they need to live healthy, safe and fulfilling lives.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

Durham County Council
£47,688 - £57,954 Soulbury A 3-8 plus SPA points pro rata to hours worked
There are new full and part time posts available as a result of new investment in our Educational Psychology team. This is a fantastic role where you Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363
Exciting Leadership Opportunity Within Keeping Families Together – Team Leader at The Beacon Children’s Home (Seaham)  Are you ready to lead with hea Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Panel Administrator

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £26,403 - £28,598
An exciting new opportunity to join the panel team working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primary base will be Council Offices, Spennymoor. The r Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner