Labour leader Keir Starmer has promised to address the issue of young people facing high levels of loneliness by introducing a significant youth strategy. The Prime Minister emphasized that the 10-year plan aims to reverse the negative impact on young individuals over the past decade.
The government has committed £500 million towards the implementation of the first National Youth Strategy in 15 years. The strategy aims to provide 500,000 more young people in England with access to a trusted adult outside their homes and equip them with online safety resources.
The primary goal of the strategy is to shield young individuals from online seclusion and promote real-life connections. A comprehensive ‘State of the Nation’ survey conducted with input from over 14,000 young people, commissioned by the government, highlighted concerns such as inadequate mental health support, increasing social isolation, and a lack of youth services in local communities.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, rising living costs, constant digital engagement, and global uncertainties have significantly shaped the lives of young people, as revealed by the study.
Under the Labour strategy, plans include constructing or renovating up to 250 youth facilities within the next four years, establishing a network of 50 Young Futures Hubs by March 2029, and allocating £22.5 million towards a program supporting children around the school day.
The 50 new hubs will offer access to youth workers and professionals to enhance the well-being and career development of young individuals. The initial eight hubs, operational by March, will be located in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton and Hove.
Additionally, the strategy outlines efforts to reduce the gap between affluent and less privileged children in accessing meaningful activities both in and out of school. A Richer Young Lives Fund exceeding £60 million will be allocated to support organizations in underserved areas to deliver high-quality youth programs.
Over the weekend, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced an £820 million funding package to assist young people in securing employment and training, along with a £725 million investment in apprenticeship reforms.
Various key figures, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Chief Executive of the National Youth Agency Leigh Middleton OBE, commended the National Youth Strategy for prioritizing the needs of young people and emphasizing the importance of youth work in implementing the plans. Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson also stressed the significance of in-person spaces for young individuals, especially in combating the negative effects of excessive screen time and social media on children’s well-being.
Plans for an overhaul of the special education needs and disabilities system will be revealed by ministers in the coming year.