It could be a defining moment in how young people's issues are to be tackled for the rest of this decade if, as expected, elements of it find their way into a manifesto and then the programme of government following the general election.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has set five tests on whether the United Kingdom should eventually join the euro. We need something similar by which to judge the green paper when it appears. Here are my five tests.
First, any proposals for "things to do, places to go" should be turned into an explicit set of entitlements for young people: "These are what you can expect everywhere."
Second, its propositions must be relevant to the variety of young people's needs and concerns. One way of ensuring this is to build in means for young people's involvement in design, delivery and scrutiny: "Your voice will always count."
Third, the responsibility for ensuring that holistic youth provision is made needs to be crystal clear. Whatever arrangements are established, the duties of local authorities and others must be transparent, unlike the present lack of accountability.
Fourth, provision needs to be accessible to young people in all their diversity including their age, gender, ethnicity, ability and location.
We need to end the postcode lottery.
Finally, any proposals need to be sustainable. This means secure, long-term resourcing with the opportunity it provides skilled staff who are the foundation for good relationships with young people. We need to see an end of quick fixes and funny money.
I hope that when the Government publishes its green paper we will be able to conclude that it has passed these five key tests.
- Tom Wylie can be contacted at tomw@nya.org.uk.
