Hughes seeks clarification on dormant account funds

The co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Youth Affairs told CYP Now he intends to hold talks with ministers imminently. "I am trying to clarify whether the big society aims to uphold the idea that funding for young people through the big society bank remains a priority in England," said Hughes. "I hope we can have that confirmed before the end of the summer."

The previous government enshrined a commitment to investing money from dormant bank accounts into youth facilities in law. But the new government has promised community organisations and neighbourhood groups access to the money, under the banner of the big society bank, raising concerns in the youth sector that the existing legislation may be undermined or altered.

Hughes made the comments after taking part in a lively panel debate at the British Youth Council’s (BYC's) London Convention, with around 200 young people in attendance.

MPs including Hughes and Tory MP Chloe Smith were questioned over a number of issues including the right to vote at 16 and the decision to keep British soldiers in Afghanistan.

But when asked to justify current cuts to youth services, Hughes told young people that the decision was not for central government to make, but for local councils. He added that the Localism Bill expected next year will give local people more power to lobby for services they wish to protect.

Speaking afterwards, BYC chair Alex Delaney said she was not satisfied with responses regarding cuts to services for young people.

"The government needs to clarify much more about what its priorities are and get young people more involved in shaping them," she said. "If you want to tackle knife crime, youth unemployment and teen pregnancy, what are you going to do about it?"