17p Per Day Invested in Britain's Youth

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 19th Jul 2006

Major youth review launches examination of society's attitude to young people as figures show how little we invest in them.

As a nation we spend just £61 (17p per day) on youth services each year for every young person, according to findings released today. These figures are released as political campaigner Oona King launches the Make Space Youth Review - a major inquiry and examination of society's attitudes and response to teenagers.

The twelve month Make Space Youth Review, supported by the Nestlé Trust and run by the national charity 4Children, will go beyond the headlines and perceptions about young people and uncover the challenges that lie behind the statistics. The Review will make clear recommendations for how we can offer a better deal for teenagers in this country. It will debate crucial topics such as how young people can be supported as they develop to become healthy and successful adults.

The new Make Space findings, compiled from national and international research (including analyses of youth service spends in 2005 by all 150 local authorities in England), create a comprehensive picture of how we invest in young people today.

Key findings show that:

• On average 17 pence per day (£61 per year) is spent on statutory youth services such as youth club provision for each 11-16 year old in England. This varies dramatically between areas. For example a teenager in the North East will have £73 a year spent on them but in the East of the country this is reduced down to £42 a year (1)

- Evidence suggests that youth clubs could be closing by as much as 14% since 2004. There are only places in youth clubs for one out of four young people. That equates to two hours a week for all 11-16 year olds.

• One million young people are hanging around on the street with nothing to do every day. The UK taxpayer picks up the cost of this lack of provision when it leads to difficulties including crime. In England, it is estimated that youth crime costs up to £13 billion compared to £1.6 billion spent by government on positive prevention and youth programmes. It costs £35,000 to put a young person in a detention centre for a year.

Oona King, Co-chair of the Make Space Youth Review Panel said: "Too many of us assume we know what is best for young people today. We fail to take their views and positive contributions into account often preferring to see them as demons of society. Now is the right time to raise the debate about young people and what we offer them. This Review will place a spotlight on one of the most valuable assets our country has - young people. It will look at every aspect of theirs lives aiming for far reaching recommendations on how we can help ensure that every young person gets the chance they deserve."

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive of 4Children the charity running Nestlé's Make Space Campaign said: "With only 17p per day going to youth services such as youth clubs, it's not surprising that many are struggling and some are closing leaving many young people with nowhere to go. It's time we decided as a society that we need to support young people. Not addressing this need costs us millions in dealing with the consequences of anti-social behaviour - it is simply not money well spent."

''Providing places for young people to go to in their community can bring real social and financial changes. One million young people say they are left on the streets after school in England with nowhere to go. Six out of ten young people think there is not enough to do in their area and 70% agree this may lead young people into crime. But evidence from the US shows that investing in youth club programmes benefits the public and participants by $3 tax dollars for every $1 spent without even counting the advantages of reduced crime. So why are we not following this lead and investing more?"

The Review will be co-chaired by Oona King and Young Mayor of Lewisham; Wilf Petherbridge. It will also include Dr Leon Feinstein from the Institute of Education; Professor Helen Haste from the University of Bath; Viv McKee from the National Youth Agency; Graeme Cooke from IPPR; and young people.

Tom Wylie, Chief Executive of The National Youth Agency, which is supporting the Review, said: "The voice, choice and influence of young people should be integral to the design and delivery of 'places to go and things to do' whether that be youth clubs, neighbourhood programmes or greater access to leisure facilities. Investment is also needed in effective transport and the support of over 500,000 youth workers and volunteers, for young people to have the means to take an active part. This is a timely review to underpin the agenda set by government for Youth Matters: Next Steps. We trust its findings will be an important contribution to inform the ten-year strategy for children and young people, to provide investment where it's needed in support of young people's personal and social development."

Full details of the Make Space research report Youth Lottery will be available from Wednesday 19th July at www.makespace.org.uk.

Arrangements on Wednesday, 19 July:

• 08.40 am: Photo Call outside the Houses of Parliament

• 09.00 am: Media Briefing, Atrium Restaurant, 4 Millbank, London SW1. Principal Review Panel members will be present.

• 10.00 am: Launch Event, Atrium Restaurant.

(1) Funding allocated to each local authority for statutory youth services based on a formula involving the number of 13-19 year olds in an area and the index of social deprivation for that area.

Ends

For more information contact:

• Gavin Jones, Senior Press Officer on 020 7522 6925

Email: gavin.jones@4Children.org.uk

• Katherine Abbott, Head of Communications on 020 7522 6928

Email: katherine.abbott@4Children.org.uk

Out-of-hours mobile: 07766 112677

Notes to Editor:

• Make Space is a £3 million national campaign, supported by the Nestlé Trust in partnership with 4Children, working to ensure a positive future for teenagers. It aims to create a network of 3,000 clubs by 2010 for young people aged 11 - 16. Make Space clubs are designed as young people would like them, providing a place to go, things to do and opening doors to new opportunities. For more information on Make Space visit www.makespace.org.uk or call the helpline on 0207 522 6960 or email information@makespace.org.uk

• The Make Space Youth Review will launch in July with a call for evidence. The Review will report back in July 2007 with clear conclusions and recommendations. Coming at a time of unprecedented change for young people, families and communities, the Youth Review is taking stock, asking young people, parents, employers, and communities what is needed, looking at what is available and looking to the future. Topics to be debated are:

• What is young people's place in 2006? - What is happening with young people in the UK in 2006? What is life like today in comparison to the past?

• Our attitude to young people - Why are young people so often demonised and what is their perspective?

• What services and support exist for youth? What is currently available in the way of service provision and support for youth in the UK?

• Hopes and needs - What do young people aspire to and what are the tools that they need to accomplish these

• The Challenge before us - What might be a new narrative and approach for young people? What are the key issues to investigate and address? What policy improvements can be made by parties concerned?

• Make Space clubs include:

• A chill-out space where young people can relax, meet their friends and enjoy their leisure time in comfortable surroundings.

• A quiet space where young people can access computers and the Internet, study, or read in peace.

• An activity space, or access to local facilities, providing young people with a range of sporting, arts and other opportunities.

• Consultation mechanisms to involve the young people in all aspects of their club.

• 4Children is the national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for all children. It aspires to ensure that all children, young people and families have access to a creative, safe and child focused environment, and activities. 4Children provides an information line for parents and childcare professionals with advice and support on all aspects of childcare, including details of out of school clubs in your area. Information line 020 7522 6960 or visit our website at www.4Children.org.uk