One-quarter are in the 10 per cent poorest parts of the country while half are in the 30 per cent most deprived areas. But it would be a gross over-simplification to conclude that youth clubs are situated only to cater for the most disadvantaged. Indeed, those authorities with a respectable level of provision tend to fund clubs located across a range of areas within their boundaries.
However, the survey identified a vast disparity in provision itself. Looking at teenage population figures in all 95 areas that responded, there is one youth club for less than 300 13- to 19-year-olds in North Tyneside and Merton, whereas in Somerset and Bury one club covers more than 4,000 teenagers. Norfolk does not fund any youth work. Given local authorities' statutory duty to secure young people's access to sufficient positive activities, this is a disgrace. The survey is based on Freedom of Information requests to all local authorities so it includes only clubs that are publicly funded.
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