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Election debate: Youth work cuts 'make UK more vulnerable to terrorism'

2 mins read Youth Work Youth services
The UK is less safe in the face of terrorism as a result of cuts to youth services in recent years, it has been claimed during a televised debate ahead of next week's general election.

On the BBC Election Debate 2017, during a discussion about security in the wake of last month's terror attack in Manchester that left 22 people dead, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said the UK is "less safe" as a result of there being fewer youth workers engaging young people.

"In terms of the cuts to public services - that's had an impact [on safety]," Wood said.

"One small example [is] youth work. When you had a well-funded youth service there were youth workers available to challenge the ideology of young people.

"I'm saying austerity has cut youth workers and there are fewer people around to challenge the root cause - the ideology that spurs these people on."

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