Think-tank makes economic case for investing more in youth services

4 June 2 mins read Joe Lepper Youth Work Youth Justice

A near £1.5 billion boost to youth services over the next three years is being proposed by economic experts, who believe the investment could be worth more than double to the UK economy in long-term financial and social benefits.

Improving access to youth centres would deliver economic benefits through improved productivity, the think-tank says. Picture: Alex Deverill

A report by business management consultancy Alma Economics for the think-tank Centre for Young Lives and charity BBC Children in Need estimates that for every £1 spent on youth provision “at least” £2.40 is returned to the economy.

A £1.46bn uplift in government spending on youth services between 2026-28 would pay for 1,000 new youth centres, delivered initially by refitting existing community facilities, year-round activities, and 10,000 additional youth workers.

This investment would help reduce the risk of young people entering the criminal justice system and improve attainment at school, which leads to higher earnings and productivity, states the report.

Higher productivity from improved access to youth centres is equal to £590mn by 2031 and rises to £2.6bn by 2035, it is estimated.

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