Englands Local Authority Youth Services: The Basic Facts 2003-04 shows local authorities spent an average of 71 per young person an increase of seven per cent on the previous year, but still well below the 100 recommended in the Resourcing Excellent Youth Services standards.
Just 17 out of 148 authorities said they spent more than 100 and the same number admitted spending less than 50.
There has been little change in spending trends across different types of authority. Shire counties continue to be the lowest spenders, averaging 56, while inner London spends most, averaging 135.
Doug Nicholls, general secretary of the Community and Youth Workers Union, said Youth Matters had failed to tackle the issue.John Appleton, chair designate of the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers, said: Its unacceptable that few authorities are spending what they should be.The green paper proposes merging lots of funding streams. If they arrive in one pooled budget, then that could potentially lead to more direct funding for youth services.
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