Speaking in the House of Commons, Nandy, whose Department for Culture, Media and Sport covers youth services, described more than £1bn worth of cuts to youth services over the last 12 years as a “national shame”.
She vowed that the government would “develop and co-produce a strategy for a generation of young people”, working alongside them and youth workers, “to support a generation to succeed”.
The pledge came in answer to a question from Melanie Onn, Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, about the impact of youth services on levels of antisocial behaviour.
Nandy said: “It is a source of national shame that youth funding decreased by 73% under the last government – one of the deepest cuts made to any of our public services – and that there was no real strategy for a generation of young people.
📢 Big news from Parliament! @lisanandy calls youth work cuts a 'national shame' and commits to a National Youth Strategy! 🙌 We welcome this and urge the government to back it with meaningful resources in the upcoming budget. #Budget2024
— UK Youth (@UKYouth) October 18, 2024
📽️ Full video here:… pic.twitter.com/Y1xT9rv1v9
“This government is determined to get a grip on this issue to ensure that young people in towns such as Grimsby have the opportunities that they deserve.”
UK Youth has welcomed Nandy’s promise with Jacob Diggle, chief impact officer saying: “We have been talking to MPs and ministers about the need for a national youth strategy and are delighted the government has listened and recognised the importance of youth work and the vital, life-saving roles undertaken by incredible youth workers up and down the country.”
He urged the government to invest in youth services as part of the next Budget on 30 October.
