CYP Now - Youth work investment could save public services £3.2bn per year, economists say

Investment in youth services could save the government as much as £3.2bn per year on public services spending, according to a new report.

Youth services could reduce spending on mental health support and crime prevention, according to researchers. Picture: AdobeStock/Jacob Lund

Released during Youth Work Week (7-12 November), the report by Frontier Economics, commissioned by youth work charity UK Youth, states that every pound invested in youth work generates between £3.20 and £6.40 in benefits to the taxpayer due to the sector’s impact on improved societal health, increased employment and education, and a reduction in crime.

Untapped: The Economic Value of Youth Work, calculates that the “wider societal benefits of government investment youth work” are at least £3.2bn, based on savings of £1.7bn from improved health outcomes through mental health interventions and substance abuse support, £0.8bn from increased youth employment and education and £0.5bn from decreased crime due to reductions in criminal justice costs and anti-social behaviour.

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