Government are 'failing to commit' to support young people, Labour MP has said

Green has said that the government is "still dragging its heels", as it fails to support young people by not releasing a new youth policy statement.

She adds that while there is no new statement, youth services are being "slashed" all over the UK, leaving organisations "desperate for certainty" about funding in the future.

Last November, former youth minister Rob Wilson announced that a new policy statement, aimed to help young people would be published in the near future.

Since this announcement, the government have not followed through. They have failed to report whether there has been any progress in drafting the statement, or when it might launch.

Green has said:

"A year ago, the former youth minister said that there would be a statement on a three-year youth policy which would "act as a road map until at least 2020".

"Since July, Tracey Crouch has avoided answering when she plans to publish the statement with the latest coming in response to my Written Question on Tuesday.

"The government is already a third of the way through its own stated time span and is still dragging its heels by failing to commit - across departments - to support young people.

"In the meantime, youth services have been slashed or closed up and down the country, and organisations who work with young people on a daily basis are desperate for certainty about future funding for their work.

"The government urgently needs a comprehensive plan to support good quality youth work, ensure a well trained workforce, and offer young people leisure activities and opportunities to contribute to and participate in wider society, as so many wish to do."

This criticism follows Crouch's response to Green's question of parliament, asking when the secretary of state plans to publish the government's youth policy statement.

Upon request for comment, a DCMS spokesperson said:

"The government is considering the contributions made in the youth policy regional workshops held in March and April. An announcement about youth policy will be made in due course."

They could offer no further comment at this time.