Concern at ‘extremely damaging’ Government cuts to support for vulnerable young people

UK Youth has warned the Government must support young people after a “worrying” Spring Statement. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves today set out the Government’s spending priorities in her Spring Statement, an annual address on the state of the nation’s finances – and what the Government proposes to do about it.

Often known as the ‘mini Budget’, this announcement does not include major tax or spending changes, which are always made in the Autumn. However, smaller funding policies and pledges can be announced. 

Key announcements were made today on cuts to welfare and departmental spending, further investment in defence and social housing. However, UK Youth is concerned by the erosion of support for vulnerable young people and the indications of further cuts in the upcoming Spending Review. 

Laura Cunliffe-Hall, UK Youth head of policy and public affairs, said: “Today’s Spring Statement is a worrying indication of things to come for young people. With the pre-announced cuts to welfare benefits and departmental spending, the government is placing future generations under huge strain, with little gain.

“A damning line in the Government’s own impact assessment of welfare cuts says 250,000 more people – including 50,000 children – will be pushed into poverty as a result by 2030.

“The Government’s own mission to break down barriers to opportunity for young people will not succeed if young people that need support from the welfare system are shortchanged at every turn. At a time when young people face increasingly difficult challenges, the cuts to support structures for youth work and youth voice are extremely damaging.

“UK Youth urges the government to back up its warm words with real support to young people and the youth sector. They have the opportunity to take decisive action with the upcoming National Youth Strategy to reverse a decade of shameful cuts and unlock the potential of youth work for all young people.”

UK Youth, along with partners across the Back Youth Alliance, will be hosting an event in Parliament next week to highlight what young people expect to see from the National Youth Strategy. The Back Youth Alliance is looking for: 

• Sustainable, long-term investment with a commitment to increasing funding for youth work and enrichment services;
• Provision of a high quality universal youth work and enrichment offer that gives young people regular access to positive activities, programmes and clubs;
• A commitment to upskilling the existing workforce, training and recruiting volunteers and attracting new entrants to the sector;
• Meaningful co-production with young people on the development and implementation of the National Youth Strategy;
• Sustainable funding streams to strengthen the youth sector’s capacity building;
• A joined-up approach to sector-wide quality and impact measurement, data collection, and research;
• A plan that draws together cross-government policies and ambitions to improve children and young people’s wellbeing and increase life chances.  ion in July, before it proceeds to committee stage on its way to potentially becoming law.

Deliver You

UK Youth is proud to be a key partner in the Government’s new nationwide consultation to help shape the new National Youth Strategy.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched Deliver You, a national “listening exercise” across England inviting young people to have their say on the issues and solutions that matter most to them. The #iwill Movement – powered by UK Youth and Volunteering Matters – is playing a key role in putting young people’s views at the centre of the National Youth Strategy.

Young people aged 10-21, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities, can get involved through a national survey, events and focus groups to gauge what support services, facilities and opportunities they need beyond the school gates to improve their lives and futures.

About UK Youth

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, see ukyouth.org

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programmes

About the Back Youth Alliance

The Back Youth Alliance was created to champion solutions together with young people for our most pressing challenges, speaking with one voice and ensuring that funding delivers the greatest impact. Members include: Scouts; The Centre for Youth Impact; The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; Girlguiding; Onside; National Youth Agency; YMCA; UK Youth and Youth United Foundation.