Politicians need to start talking numbers
Andy Hillier
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The recent conference season has offered a glimpse into how youth services could be structured in the coming years. What is clear is that neither of the two main political parties is making any firm funding commitments if they secure power.
In the red corner, Labour's response to questions about continuing to invest in popular programmes such as Positive Activities for Young People and the youth opportunity and capital funds has amounted to little more than "watch this space". Its promised investment in youth projects using money held in dormant bank accounts has also been delayed due to the recent banking crisis.
In the blue corner, the Conservatives continue to talk up their plans for the creation of a National Citizen Service, a six-week programme of community service and outdoor education for 16-year-olds. Quite where the money will come from to fund a scheme that would be open potentially to an estimated 700,000 young people has not been revealed, which begs the question whether some of the money could be sliced from existing youth budgets.
The Conservatives have stated they will only invest in projects that can clearly demonstrate they make a difference, although they have said little about what existing programmes could go.
This all amounts to a worrying picture for youth services. What is really needed is for both political parties to provide some firm figures about how much they are willing to invest in youth services, and give an indication about which budgets could be at risk. Surely it's not too much to ask given how close we are to a general election. The current uncertainty only breeds fear.
- Andy Hillier, editor, Youth Work Now, andy.hillier@haymarket.com
