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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take to (a) level up and (b) improve the provision of services for young people in (i) Leicester East constituency and (ii) Leicester.

The Government recognises the vital role that youth services and activities play in improving the life chances and wellbeing of young people.

Recognising this, the Government has committed to a National Youth Guarantee: that by 2025, every young person will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. This is supported by a three-year investment of over £500 million in youth services, reflecting young people's priorities and addressing the inconsistencies in national youth spending with a firm focus on levelling up.

As part of the National Youth Guarantee, the Youth Investment Fund will level up access to services for young people across the country. The Youth Investment Fund will target investment in less advantaged areas of England, where young people have the greatest need. The £300m fund is place-based and locally led, with 45 local authorities and over 600 district wards eligible to apply. Leicester, including Leicester East, has been eligible for this funding and although the fund is now closed for new applications, we anticipate making the next round of funding announcements this summer.

Young people in Leicester will also benefit from other elements of the National Youth Guarantee, for example, a year-round National Citizen Service programme; increased access to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; expanded uniformed youth groups and volunteering opportunities through the #iwill Fund.