It forms part of a wider £679m package for young people’s services, announced earlier this year as part of the Government’s 10 year youth strategy.

Ahead of the Government’s Children’s Plan, to be launched shortly, the money is to respond to youth workers’ concerns that young people often get into trouble on Friday and Saturday nights, when youth services are most likely to be closed. The Minister for Children & Young People is calling on Local Authorities to consult with young people so they can provide activities that young people want, at times that suit them – but especially flashpoint times, when boredom can lead young people to flirt with dangerous behaviour.

Over the last two years over 500,000 teenagers have taken part in the schemes, which will receive an additional £25m on top of £173m over three years, prioritised on the 50 most deprived areas in England. An extra £6.5m in 2008-9 will be targeted at disadvantaged areas where a minority of young people may be more at risk of joining gangs and in danger from gun crime. A further £2m will accelerate the extended schools programme in 12 local authorities where there are high instances of gun, gang and knife crime.

Local Authorities already providing similar projects have reported marked changes in young people’s behaviour, with disaffected young people acting as positive role models in their community, renewing contact with family members and reduced levels of vandalism in the community.

The Mayor of London has also announced a £20m contribution, which, alongside the Government’s pledge of £58m, brings the total London Youth Offer to £78m over the next two years.

This investment is part of a wider £679m package aimed at increasing the availability of places to go and things to do for young people, which was announced in the Government’s 10 year youth strategy in July 2007.

For further information please contact the Department for Children, Schools and Families
T: 0870 000 2288
E: info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
www.dcsf.gov.uk