Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has sounded the alarm over vast scale of cuts to youth services under the Tories.
New analysis by the House of Commons Library reveals that average spending per 16-24-year-old in the North West has fallen from £130.3 million in 2011/12 to just £42.99 in 2018/19 – down 64.4%.
Average spending per 16-24-year-old in England has fallen from £142 in 2011/12 to just £56 in 2018/19 – down 60%.
The West Midlands, North East, North West, and Yorkshire & the Humber have seen the biggest falls in spending per young person.
Further analysis reveals that while the least deprived areas saw spending fall by just over half, in the most deprived areas it fell by two thirds – above the average for the country as a whole.
Labour are warning that the Conservatives are set to break their manifesto promise to fund youth services, failing a generation of young people.
Labour have called on the Government to stick to their manifesto pledge to provide £500 million to youth services by April 2020, and deliver this critical fund to prevent yet more youth centres being forced to close.
Andrew Gwynne said:
“Youth services are such an important lifeline for young people, especially for those living in areas of deprivation, but under the Tories we’ve seen hundreds of youth centres closing in every region.
“Over a year ago the Conservatives promised to introduce the Youth Investment Fund to support youth services. Yet not one penny has materialised. Covid-19 has only worsened the perilous state youth services were already in.
“Whilst the Tories keep breaking their promises to young people, we are seeing a generation being let down.”