Spending by councils in England has dropped by 73% over this period. In Wales the drop has been 27%.
This represents a real term cut of £1.2bn for youth services between 2010/11 and 2023/24 in England and £16.6mn in Wales, according to youth charity YMCA, which has carried out the research.
It also found that one in seven councils in England have no youth centres in their area, either run by themselves or other organisations.
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Wales had 91 council-run youth centres in 2023/24, 62% fewer than in 2010/11.
The charity’s research also found that spending for each five- to 17-year-old on youth services in England was just £50.09 in 2023/24, almost half of Wales' per-child spending on this age range, at £97.83.
Between 2012/13 and 2023/24 the number of youth workers fell by a third to 1,662 full-time equivalent roles. Over the same period in Wales their numbers have fallen by almost a half.
YMCA’s report says that over the last 14 years there has been “a hollowing of youth expenditure” as “council run youth centres are still closing, and youth workers are spending fewer hours supporting young people”.
It is concerned about continuing council cuts, as local authorities tackle cost pressures around social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services. According to the Local Government Association, almost two thirds of councils anticipate cutting support for young people and families.
The government has pledged to improve young people’s access to youth clubs and other youth services through its National Youth Strategy, which is backed with an initial £85mn from government and £100mn through the Dormant Assets Scheme.
YMCA chief executive Denise Hatton said there needs to be "immediate and sustainable funding to rebuild the sector", adding: "Our latest report paints a stark picture of the ongoing crisis in youth services.
"Local authorities have navigated unimaginable challenges over the past decade, but there is simply nothing left to cut.
"Without long-term, sustainable investment in youth workers and community programmes, the next generation of young people risk losing access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
"A point of hope on the horizon is the government’s commitment to a national youth strategy and ongoing policy work in 2025, which presents a vital opportunity to reset and rebuild.
“This is a once-in-a-generation moment to reshape the future for young people, and we cannot afford to waste it,”
UK Youth chief impact officer Jacob Diggle said the report reveals “a shocking picture” of youth work spending, adding: “These cuts have led to the closure of more than half of the country’s youth clubs at a time when young people have been facing severe challenges
He also welcomed the national youth strategy commitments but added that the government’s forthcoming spending review “will need to provide much stronger commitment to back-up the government’s warm words about youth services”.
