Editorial: Use the unclaimed assets windfall wisely

The money is being made available by tapping into the unclaimed assets of bank accounts that have lain dormant for at least 15 years and will be distributed by the Big Lottery Fund (see p2). It has not come out of the blue. Gordon Brown revealed his intention to use unclaimed assets to finance youth provision in his pre-Budget report in December 2005. Indeed, last week's announcement confirms the substance of a document leaked to Young People Now earlier this year (YPN, 31 January-6 February, p3). Nevertheless, confirmation that the sector is to benefit from such a rare windfall is a real shot in the arm. The decision for the funds to prioritise youth facilities has been taken in Westminster and applies to England only. Let's hope the devolved assemblies in the other nations follow suit.