Why youth work needs the state

He claims the quality of such youth services "leaves a lot to be desired", with many "set in their ways".

This sort of attack couldn't happen when there was no substantial ministerial post in this area.But the union and other campaigners helped to make such a position an important part of government. Ministers are weather vanes, not hurricanes. If they are democrats they will reflect public opinion, the aspirations of young people and expert, evidence-based advice. And it might be an idea if they listened to the people who created their posts, and who will vote.

The public views the future prosperity of our country as the number one priority and recognises that the way we treat our young people is the best indication of our intentions in that regard. In 1997 we had lost a generation. We needed a new start. Those who were scarred for life by the poverty and unemployment of the 1980s and wrecked by social decay in once-thriving industrial communities had become different people. It's taken nearly another generation to create what we have now.