Young people across England will benefit from over £500 million of government investment as the first National Youth Strategy in 15 years has been published, setting out a bold plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade.
The strategy, titled ‘Youth Matters’, has been co-produced with insights from 14,000 young people through a landmark State of the Nation survey, marking a fundamental shift in how the government supports youth – moving from online isolation to real-life connections.
Local government spending on youth services fell by 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23, leading to the closure of over 1,000 youth centres and the loss of 4,500 youth worker roles. The Prime Minister described young people as “collateral damage” over the past decade and pledged to invest in their potential.
Key measures in the £500m investment include:
- £350m ‘Better Youth Spaces’ programme to build or refurbish up to 250 youth facilities and provide equipment for 2,500 organisations.
- 50 Young Futures Hubs by 2029, with the first eight opening by March 2026 in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton & Hove.
- £60m ‘Richer Young Lives Fund’ to support underserved areas.
- £22.5m programme for wellbeing and life skills in up to 400 schools.
- £15m investment to recruit and train youth workers and volunteers.
- £5m to strengthen partnerships and digital infrastructure for safer, more effective youth services.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented:
“As a dad and as Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation’s greatest responsibility to turn the tide on the lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage. It is our moral mission.
“Today, my government sets out a clear, ambitious and deliverable plan - investing in the next generation so that every child has the chance to see their talents take them as far as their ability can.”
“That is also why we will ensure that if you choose an apprenticeship, you will have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else, as we get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.”
Over the next decade, the strategy aims to give 500,000 more young people access to a trusted adult outside the home, as well as to halve the gap in access to meaningful activities between richer and poorer families. Alongside this, the strategy will compliment work to deliver on government missions to spread opportunity, make streets safer, and ease NHS pressures.
Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, also 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.”
The accompanying State of the Nation report reveals stark concerns among young people about mental health support, social isolation, and the lack of safe spaces. Despite being the most digitally connected generation, they face unprecedented isolation, among the highest globally.
The National Youth Strategy marks the start of a decade of sustained investment, ensuring young people have safe spaces, support networks, and opportunities to thrive.
Image credit: iStock
