Government announces plans to transform youth centres

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced the redevelopment of 44 youth centres, set to benefit 12,000 young people.

The upgrades will be funded by a £70 million investment from Government’s Youth Investment Fund.

New youth centres will be built and old ones will be refurbished in order to give young people better access to out-of-school activities.

The National Lottery Community Fund has also announced that it will match fund the initial Government commitment of £11 million for the Million Hours Fund bringing the total to £22 million. The fund will allow organisations in areas of high anti-social behaviour incidents to stay open for an extra night a week.

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer said: "I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.

"These next 44 youth centres will give 12,000 more young people the opportunity to access these activities. Building on the first tranche of Youth Investment Fund investment that is seeing new projects like the Alt Valley Communiversity opening in Liverpool and support for Scouts and Girlguiding groups to reduce their waiting lists.

"We will make sure every young person has someone to talk to, something to do, somewhere to go."