WIREDGOV

Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Judith Blake yesterday responded to a report by the YMCA on spending cuts for youth services. 

Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, Cllr Judith Blake, yesterday said:

“This report provides further evidence of the need for adequate funding for councils’ youth services to make sure that every young person gets the support they need to live healthy, safe and fulfilling lives.

“Funding and demand pressures have meant many councils are having to divert resources away from youth services to cope with the growing pressures in children’s social care. They have been forced to cut spending on youth services, by 52 per cent, from £652 million in 2010/11 to £352 million in 2017/18. 

“Councils will work in partnership with the Government and national youth organisations to ensure any extra resources allocated as part of the recent Spending Round are used in the best way in order to support young people to have access to the fullest range of services and opportunities. It is also vital that next year’s Spending Review provides long-term, sustainable funding so councils can keep providing the support that children and families rely on.”