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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate opportunities for under 16s to engage in joint social activities with other young people.

We’re working closely across government to expand access to real‑world activities as we know that strong offline connections between young people are essential to supporting their wellbeing and their development.

In December 2025, DCMS published ‘Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy’. This strategy will ensure every young person across the country, including those under 16, has somewhere to go, someone who cares for them and a community they feel part of. It is funded by over £500 million from DCMS, which includes funding for youth spaces where young people can come together, for enriching opportunities across the country where they can meet others, as well as for social action projects which young people can deliver in their communities.

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of youth services in their area. We will explore reviewing this duty as part of a wider review of local statutory duties.