Cross-party support for youth work at heart of national strategy

Ministers and MPs demonstrated cross-party support for putting youth work at the heart of the upcoming National Youth Strategy.

Youth representatives, MPs, peers, civil servants and leading youth organisations came together at a Back Youth Alliance event in the Palace of Westminster to discuss how the government can ensure all young people have access to the support, opportunities, trusted adults and safe spaces they need to thrive.

The event provided a platform for young people to share their experiences of shaping the National Youth Strategy so far, as well as to engage with decision-makers across government ahead of its publication.

The panel marked the launch of the BYA’s evidence review and polling which have been submitted to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of its National Youth Strategy consultation.

BYA’s evidence highlights that youth work delivers significant social and economic benefits in the short and long-term. For example, the 2022 Untapped study by national youth work charity UK Youth, part of the BYA, found that for every £1 invested in youth work, there is a return of between £3.20 and £6.40 in public sector savings, through reduced crime and improved mental health, employability and education outcomes.

Research also shows that people who engage with youth work as teenagers are happier, healthier and wealthier adults than those who do not.

BYA is calling for sustainable long-term investment in the youth sector from the Government, to start reversing an almost 75 per cent cut in public funding for youth work over the last 15 years.

Delight at cross-party support

Youth representative Lauren Bennett said: “By investing in youth work now, the government can help ensure all young people – regardless of background or location – have access to the support, opportunities, and safe spaces we need to thrive.”

Jamie Masraff, Back Youth Alliance chair and OnSide chief executive, said: “I am delighted that there is genuine cross-party support that recognises the importance of youth work and enrichment up and down the country.

“BYA has long been calling for a National Youth Strategy co-produced with young people. We now need to ensure the momentum is not lost and there is a long-term plan to create better futures for young people.”

Culture minister Stephanie Peacock said: “We know that positive youth work and access to youth services can have a huge impact on a young person’s opportunities and ultimately their future, so I welcome this report from the Back Youth Alliance.

“Putting young people at the heart of decision making is a priority for this government as we deliver our Plan for Change. That is why we have launched a nationwide survey to inform our new National Youth Strategy and I strongly encourage as many young people as possible to take part, to help shape the future for their generation.”

Vicky Browning, UK Youth interim chief executive officer, said: “The National Youth Strategy presents an exciting opportunity for this government to unlock the potential of youth work and give young people real hope.”

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.

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