Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Youth Development Fund grants; and if she will make a statement.

The Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport is investing £40 million through the Youth Investment Fund and #iwill Funds to increase opportunities for young people to develop skills and undertake social action. This money is being matched by the Big Lottery Fund to create an £80million investment in young people. The Youth Investment Fund was first delivered last year, and is therefore too early to assess the effectiveness; however, an evaluation process is in place.