Youth Services: Bill proposes legal duty on authorities

29 March 2005

Local authorities should be required by law to provide youth services, according to a Bill tabled last week by MP Oona King.

She has proposed a Youth Disorder and Engagement Bill in a bid to raise the profile of services for teenagers.

Councils currently have to set up leisure and recreation services for young people but are under no obligation to provide a youth service.

The Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow told the House of Commons: "It is a scandal that such an important area of service provision is not a statutory duty."

Tom Wylie, chief executive of the National Youth Agency, said: "She has put her finger on a current legislation weakness and it is the kids who are losing out."

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