Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Ed Miliband (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 27 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

““Youth Matters””

Question: Will my right hon. Friend comment on the role that the Green Paper can play in engaging young people in services? The all-party group on youth affairs met for the first time in this Parliament yesterday and had a lively and interesting discussion with the young people who attended. One of the points that they raised was their hope that the Government's vision included not just demand-side subsidies through the opportunity card, but a commitment to supply-side investment in young people's services. Will my right hon. Friend reassure me that in the years ahead the Government will be making more of a priority of investment in young people's services?

Answer: The supply-side mechanisms that we have included in the Green Paper are important, precisely because they will require local authorities and others to take account of which activities young people decide to take up. So that has been an important ingredient. However, I take my hon. Friend's point that the supply side is also important. It is encouraging to note that during 2003–04 and 2005–06 local authorities increased their funding by 12 per cent., and the out-turn for 2003–04 was considerably higher even than the budget requirement. There is growing recognition that more needs to be done to invest in activities and opportunities for young people, and local authorities are taking that very seriously.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 438 c435-6
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Advisory services Leisure Education Public participation Young people Voluntary work
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk