Hughes calls for more weekend youth activities

Beverley Hughes has written to all directors of children's services and lead members for children and young people this week to tell them to improve the opportunities on offer to young people at weekends. A study conducted by the government has found that just 2.5 per cent of positive activities are available on Saturday evenings and only 15 per cent are available on Friday evenings.

Hughes said: "We know young people don't want to use youth facilities on a Monday afternoon, they want to use them on Friday and Saturday nights." She added that by not opening at these times, police and councils are having to "absorb the costs associated with youth crime and antisocial behaviour".

The government is encouraging councils to take part in its Open Weekend event on 10 and 11 July 2009. For more details, see the Open for the Weekend supplement.