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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the National Youth Strategy on levels of youth participation in out-of-school activities.

We’re working closely across government to expand access to meaningful and enriching 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’, a ten-year cross Government Strategy to ensure every young person across the country has someone who cares, something to do and somewhere to go. It includes a clear ambition to half the participation gap in enriching activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers. It is funded by over £500 million from DCMS, which includes funding for youth spaces where young people can come together, enriching opportunities inside and outside of school, as well as for social action projects which young people can deliver in their communities.

We are working closely with Other Government Departments to ensure the successful delivery and accountability of the National Youth Strategy, which will include assessing the impact of our funded programmes.