Government to invest £500m in England's youth services with new hubs and centres
The government has announced a £500 million investment in youth services across England over the next four years, aiming to rebuild and strengthen the sector. The plan includes building or refurbishing 250 youth centres and launching 50 Young Futures Hubs, with the first eight hubs scheduled to open by March 2026 in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton & Hove.
This initiative targets young people mainly aged 10 to 21, with some support extended to individuals up to 25 who have special educational needs and disabilities. The ambition is that by 2035, approximately 500,000 young people will be paired with youth workers, volunteers, and other trusted adults to enhance online safety and foster social connections.
The investment is part of the National Youth Strategy, announced by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who noted that today's youth are highly connected but increasingly isolated. The YMCA described the plan as a long-term investment but emphasized that more resources are necessary to fully recover the sector.
Reactions have been mixed; Conservatives criticized the outlook for the next generation under Labour, while Liberal Democrats called for further action and reforms in local services for vulnerable children. Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston welcomed the renewed investment but highlighted that Labour’s previous scrapping of the National Citizen Service left many young people without opportunities. Meanwhile, the Local Government Association supported the plan but urged for stronger workforce support.
