Youth services cut by 70 per cent since 2010

Analysis of spending by English local authorities on services for young people by the Labour Party has revealed a real-terms cut of £880 million since 2010.

According to the analysis of government spending figures, published by the Department for Education, spending on youth services has been cut by 70 per cent since the Conservatives came to power in 2010. Further analysis of per capita spending also found that 87 per cent of councils have slashed spending by at least 50 per cent and that half of councils have cut spending per young person by over 75 per cent.

On average, councils have cut spending on youth services by £70 per child since 2010/11, and just two councils, Islington and Camden, actually increased per capita spend.

The opposition party also warns that spending on youth justice – councils working with young people to reduce re-offending and keep them out of the justice system in the first place – has also been cut by 45 per cent since 2010.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Youth services play an absolutely vital role in our communities, both by helping young people fulfil their potential and by keeping them out of trouble. Austerity is pushing our services to the brink and tearing the heart out of our communities.

“Cuts have consequences, and not only have the Tories betrayed a generation of young people; these cuts are creating the conditions in which crime can thrive. Labour in government will introduce legislation to guarantee quality youth services for all of our young people and we will give our councils the funding they need to invest in our public services”.