A Salford MP has hailed a move by the government to spend £500 million on youth services across the country.
Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi welcomed Labour’s proposal to build up to 250 new or refurbished youth centres and establish 50 Young Futures Hubs.
She said the publication of the government’s new National Youth Strategy was a major step forward in rebuilding youth services and tackling the growing crisis of youth isolation.
The representative for the Bolton South and Walkden outlined that more than 22,966 young people aged 10-21 in her constituency are set to benefit from the investment.
Mrs Qureshi said funding will improve access to safe spaces, supportive mentors and opportunities to build skills, friendships, and confidence because of the investment.
500,000 more young people nationwide will be paired with an adult outside their home to help them stay safe online and develop connections.
She said: “For too long, Tory cuts have hollowed out the youth services our communities depend on, and now parties like Reform want to take us even further back into austerity – cutting the very services that we know young people need to get on in life.
“Young people I speak to in Bolton South and Walkden tell me they want somewhere safe to go, someone to talk to, and a chance to build a brighter future – not a system that leaves them behind.
“That’s why I am proud to support Labour’s new National Youth Strategy, which will start to put things right – investing in the support, spaces, and opportunities young people need to really thrive.”
Announcing the plans, Labour’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The challenges facing young people today are urgent and demand a major change in direction. For too long, youth policy has been an afterthought. This generation deserves better.
“Young people are the most digitally connected but also the most isolated in generations with many wanting more meaningful real life connections.
“Young people have been crystal clear in speaking up in our consultation: they need support for their mental health, spaces to meet with people in their communities and real opportunities to thrive.
“We will give them what they want. Today’s National Youth Strategy puts young people at the heart of decision-making and begins to rebuild the youth services that were decimated over the past decade.
“From Young Futures Hubs in local communities to hundreds of millions of pounds invested in youth facilities to transforming the services that support them – we will give young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing. They have spoken – now we’re delivering for them.”
