Oral Answers to Questions Debate
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Shockat Adam
Main Page: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)Department Debates - View all Shockat Adam's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
(1 day, 4 hours ago)
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Stephanie Peacock
Indeed, Mr Speaker; we have a brilliant one opening in Barnsley very shortly. My hon. Friend makes an incredibly powerful point. This Government are taking a new approach to youth services, which is why we will be launching our national youth services strategy shortly.
Shockat Adam (Leicester South) (Ind)
Many youth services and clubs in my constituency rely on indoor sports facilities in the winter, but due to poorly maintained and financed buildings and decades of chronic underfunding, those youth buildings are now unsafe to use. For example, on St Matthew’s estate, the youth have been left without any community sports hall, after the only facility was forced to shut down due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. What is the Department doing to ensure that provisions and services for our youth get support, so that our children can play during the cold winter months?
Stephanie Peacock
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right and makes an important point. Youth services are vital for giving young people safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. Under the last Government, 1,200 youth centres closed their doors and 4,500 youth workers lost their jobs. That is why this Government are taking a different approach.