Huge cuts to youth services in eastern England risk creating a ‘lost generation’ of young people unable to access vital support at a crucial time in their lives, UNISON says today.
New research conducted by the union has found that funding cuts have led to the closure of more than half of council-run youth centres in the east of England since 2010.
The loss of so many facilities and the specialist workers who run them has put teenagers at risk of isolation, being swept into gang and knife culture, or taking part in anti-social activities on the streets, says UNISON.
The data, compiled through freedom of information (FoI) requests over many months by the union, shows the scale of cuts that have left many communities with precious few resources.
Five of the 11 councils in the east of England no longer operate any of their own youth centres, the research shows, including Suffolk County Council which has shut 29 centres since 2010.
Across England and Wales, 1,243 council-run youth centres closed during the data-gathering, which took place from 2010 to 2023. Just 581 centres were still in operation at the end of March last year. Only 51 of those were in the east of England following 55 closures since 2010.
The data has been released for UNISON’s annual local government conference which continues today in Brighton.
Separate research conducted by the union paints a bleak picture of the impact on communities and the young people who no longer have access to services.
Youth and council workers told the union this has left teenagers without guidance and positive mentors, as well as taking away social hubs where young people can gather.
One council worker said: “Many young people have nothing to keep them off the streets away from exploitation, and potential violence at home. Knife crime has increased.
“Mental health has been hit due to less social interaction with positive peers and adults. Young people are increasingly isolated.”
Another said: “There’s been an increase in young people not attending school, and more exclusions too. It’s led to a breakdown in community relations, youth offending is up and there are more young people who aren’t in education, employment or training.”
Mercury Prize-winning musicians Little Simz and Ezra Collective are among those who have credited their experiences at youth centres for being important stepping stones in their careers.
UNISON says the issue has to be taken seriously by the next government when it considers the financial support given to councils.
The union says there must also be a new emphasis on rebuilding the network of council youth centres and investment in training for the workers who staff them and help vulnerable teenagers.
UNISON Eastern head of local government Alex Porter said: “Put simply, austerity doesn’t work. Years of cuts have hit communities hard and left vulnerable youngsters high and dry.
“In the past, youth centres were able to help keep teenagers on the right path, providing guidance and advice to youngsters who perhaps weren’t getting any support at home. They’re also places to develop new skills and passions.
“But when youth services are axed, there’s nothing positive to fill that space, allowing criminal elements to move in and exploit naive young people.
“Councils and the youth workers they employ can do a lot of good for local communities and help keep the streets safer too. But only if they are given the funding to do so.
“Sadly a decade and more of austerity has undone much of the previous good work and created a lost generation of youngsters.”
The cuts where you are
| Council | Closed since 2010 | Open at end of 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford Borough | 7 | 1 |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 0 |
| Central Beds | 1 | 4 |
| Essex | 5 | 22 |
| Hertfordshire | 0 | 22 |
| Luton | 1 | 0 |
| Norfolk | 0 | 0 |
| Peterborough | 6 | 0 |
| Southend | 2 | 1 |
| Suffolk | 29 | 0 |
| Thurrock | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 55 | 51 |