Youth service funding - York faces Government cuts (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Youth service funding - York faces Government cuts

December 13, 2005 12:00 AM

Changes in the way the Government will fund youth services could see young people in York lose out. After publishing the Green paper 'Youth Matters', Government is expecting local authorities to take the lead for delivering services in the future.

Over £1 Million funding which currently goes direct to the Connexions Service in York may not be transferred to the City of York Council in full. This means that the amount of money available to spend on young people in York could be reduced by the government.

A government website claims 'We want young people to have more things to do and more places to go in their local area'. However, local Liberal Democrat Councillors fear that the restructure will mean a drop in funding, threatening existing youth services.

Cllr. Orrell said "I am really concerned that the Government is going to use this transfer in funding as a way to cut the money available for York's young people. Here in York we have proved that where extra money is put in, as for the School's Out programme, more young people take part and antisocial behaviour drops. The Government is risking all the progress we have made. They must promise to transfer ALL of the money York currently receives.

"Right from the start, we said that the 'Youth Matters' proposals contained some good ideas, but that they would be expensive to implement properly. If the Government tries to save money in this area, then young people will have fewer activities, which will impact on anti-social behaviour.

"Regularly, when the Government changes the way it pays for services York loses out. This should not happen for young people. I call on the Government to make the funding fair and transparent, and to support our young people."

NOTES

The Government published a green paper, Youth Matters, on 18th July 2005. The paper included many recommendations, including local authorities becoming lead members of partnerships to deliver youth services.

Connexions funding is anticipated to be transferred to the Council from 2008.