Youth offending team funding cut by further £9m

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has confirmed that the annual grant it provides for YOTs has been reduced by 12 per cent for 2016/17, from £76.1m to £67m, a total cut of £9.1m. 

The settlement will place further pressure on frontline services in light of the fact that funding for the 2015/16 financial year had initially been £85.1m, but was subject to an emergency in-year cut of £9m.

Gareth Jones, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, described the latest funding reduction as "strange" given recent successes within the youth justice system, and the fact an ongoing government review of youth justice, being led by Charlie Taylor, is yet to report.

"The youth justice system has consistently produced the performance asked of it – indeed produced more," he said.

“It seems equally bizarre that this comes at a time when the Taylor review has yet to report. If this level of attack continues there will be little left of the community youth justice system left to review."

Jones also questioned why the reductions have been focused on community youth justice services, rather than the custodial estate.

YJB chief executive, Lin Hinnigan, said: “The YJB’s budget for 2016/17 has been significantly reduced compared to our allocation for 2015/16. 

"Despite seeking all other potential areas for reducing spend, this gave us no alternative but to reluctantly reduce the grants which support delivery of youth justice in the community.”