UK Prime Minister Unveils £88 Million Investment in Youth Services Across England

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an £88 million investment package aimed at revitalizing youth services in England to combat the growing isolation of young people due to increased screen time and online challenges. The funding will support a range of activities including music lessons, sports, outdoor adventures, arts, debating, and volunteering, targeting areas with high child poverty and income deprivation. The package includes £22.5 million over three years to provide extracurricular activities in up to 400 schools and £7.5 million for youth organizations like the Scouts and Guides. This initiative addresses a decade-long decline of over 70% in youth services investment and aligns with other government efforts such as extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds and the £500 million Better Futures Fund to protect young people from online harms. Starmer emphasized the government's duty to offer transformative, real-world opportunities that help young people develop confidence and life skills beyond what technology can provide. The investment is part of a broader strategy to reconnect youth with their communities and prepare for the forthcoming National Youth Strategy expected this autumn.