CYP Now - Youth services funding cut linked to increased risk of children's involvement in crime

Funding for youth work services has fallen by more than 60 per cent over the past decade, with reductions in provision linked to a rise in anti-social behaviour and young people's involvement in crime, according to research commissioned by the government.

A lack of youth work availability is linked to a rise in youth crime. Picture: Adobe Stock/ Xavier Lorenzo

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in collaboration with UK Youth, has published its latest research on youth provisions and life outcomes, which calls for greater investment in the youth work sector.

The research highlights that young people who accessed services as teenagers were happier, healthier and more involved in the community, however local authority youth provision funding in England fell from more than £1 billion to £408.5 million between 2011 to 2021.

The data also shows that those who attended youth clubs “were less likely to engage in anti-social behaviour and crime such as school truancy, drinking alcohol, taking illegal drugs or stealing”.

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