6th August 2025
Young people across England are set to benefit from a huge expansion of youth services, as the Prime Minister unveils an £88 million investment to help them reconnect with their communities and build skills for the future.
After more than a decade of underfunding, with youth services in England having faced a 70% cut, this investment marks a major turning point. The government’s new Building Creative Futures package will support schools, youth clubs, and local organisations to offer more after-school activities, outdoor opportunities, and creative programmes.
This investment delivers on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change and a key manifesto promise to back young people growing up in a digital-first world, by offering them real-world experiences to grow, lead, and thrive.
Chair of Kingston Labour and local mother Kezia Coleman said:
“I’m delighted this investment is coming and will benefit our young people in Kingston. As a mother, I have felt frustrated by the limited options currently available to young people. Young people are an important part of our communities and should have access to spaces and opportunities. There hasn’t been a National Youth Strategy in decades, and it’s brilliant that young people have not only been put at the heart of policy-making, but have also been consulted during the process.”
What’s Being Delivered?
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£22.5 million for enrichment activities in up to 400 schools
Pupils will have access to after-school clubs including sport, music, debating, art, outdoor activities, and volunteering — all designed to support wellbeing and skill-building. -
£30.5 million for the Better Youth Spaces programme
This fund will improve youth club buildings and spaces in the most disadvantaged areas, with projects like new gym equipment and climbing walls. -
£8 million for Local Youth Transformation pilots
Local authorities will get tools, funding, and guidance to create high-quality youth services that meet the needs of their communities. -
£19 million for the Million Hours Fund (Phase 3)
In partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, this will fund over one million additional hours of youth work in areas affected by anti-social behaviour. -
£7.5 million for the Uniformed Youth Fund
This will create thousands of new places in Scouts, Guides, Police Cadets and more — especially where there is unmet demand.
This is a bold step forward to ensure all young people — no matter where they live — have the opportunities they deserve to grow, lead, and succeed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Growing up today is hard for young people. As they navigate their way through the online world, too often they find themselves isolated at home and disconnected from their communities.
As a government, we have a duty to act on this worrying trend. Today’s investment is about offering a better alternative: transformative, real-world opportunities that will have an impact in communities across the country, so young people can discover something new, find their spark and develop the confidence and life skills that no algorithm can teach.
Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing parents by not only protecting our young people online, but giving them the support and opportunities they deserve so no child falls through the cracks.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“We know that strong local youth services are the bedrock of thriving communities that give our young people safe spaces to learn, grow and reach their potential.
Today’s announcement is just the beginning. As we develop our National Youth Strategy ahead of its launch this autumn, we are already delivering on our Plan for Change by putting young people at the heart of our mission-led government ensuring they have the support and opportunities they deserve so that no one is left behind.”
