Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport about integrating a youth service with the education system.

The department recognises the significant benefits that youth services can have for children and young people. The department knows that many providers do an excellent job in providing enriching activities for children in a safe and supportive environment, and we are committed to working with providers to explore how we can continue to support them to do so. The department is already making a significant investment through the £200 million per year holiday activities and food programme, funding local authorities across England to supporting disadvantaged pupils and their families with enriching activities and healthy food.

As part of the Levelling Up white paper, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), recently announced the National Youth Guarantee, ensuring that every young person in the country (11- to 18-year-olds, and up to 25 years old for those with special educational needs and disabilities) will have access to a) regular clubs and activities, b) adventures away from home and c) volunteering opportunities by the end of 2025.

The department is working with the DCMS and the National Citizen Service on how to make links between schools, youth services and other providers to deliver the National Youth Guarantee. This will include looking at how to promote volunteering and expanding access to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and cadet schemes. Through this work, the department will look at how to make the best use of premises and how links to youth services can help provide access to targeted support for every child that needs it.