“MAKE SPACE” YOUTH CABINET MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER AROUND CABINET TABLE AS PM FINALISES RADICAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON YOUTH

BROWN ANNOUNCES MAJOR STRATEGY TO RECAPTURE GENERATION OF BRITISH TEENAGERS  

July 26, 2007

National youth campaign “Make Space”, run by 4Children and supported by Nestlé, warmly welcomes the Government's 10-year Strategy for Young People and, in particular, new investment in youth centres and an increased voice for young people in how money is spent.  

Prime Minister with Make Space Representatives

The announcement comes in the wake of a Make Space Youth Cabinet meeting held with the Prime Minister around the real Cabinet Table in 10 Downing Street at 9am this morning. Teenagers from the campaign sat as part of a specially convened Youth Cabinet jointly chaired by Make Space Youth Review chair Wilf Petherbridge and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. During the hour long discussion, attended by three Cabinet Ministers, young people debated a range of priorities for teenagers, including crime and anti-social behaviour, youth activities, local transport and community relations. The debate between the Youth Cabinet and Ministers comes the same day as the announcement of the Government’s youth strategy which outlines plans for better facilities for young people and an increased voice for teenagers in how money for them is spent.

The announcement  comes in the wake of startling figures released by the Make Space Youth Review, chaired by broadcaster Oona King and launched by Make Space Ambassador and youth icon Lily Allen a fortnight ago. The Review highlighted deep concern from a consultation of more than 16,000 teenagers over the rise of violence, guns and gang crime, with a startling 80% of teenagers saying that they had nowhere safe to go in their area. 

The Make Space Youth Review revealed that a shocking one million young people are left wandering the streets every weekday due to a lack of activity and support at the end of the school day, whilst more than two thirds of teenagers have witnessed or fallen victim to instances of anti-social behaviour during the last year. Figures from the Youth Review, presented to the Prime Minister at Number 10 earlier this month, revealed that 7 out of 10 young people believe their peers get involved in crime due to boredom and a lack of activity.

The Government package proposes a step-change in the funding for services aimed at teenagers, funded by money from unclaimed bank assets; including new places to go, upgrading existing facilities and young people to have a greater say in how money for them is spent

Make Space Youth Review chair Oona King said, ‘Make Space Youth Review chair Oona King said, "The recent spate of gun crime against young people sent out an urgent message that something must be done before we lose a generation of teenagers. Young people have got a bad deal from society. Yet, supporting them is the single most important investment Britain can make. We spoke to over 16 000 children and teenagers and found that they want a stake in their local community. They want more meaningful engagement and opportunities. They want high-quality services and inspirational support. They took this message to Gordon Brown and he has listened."



Wilf Petherbridge (17), co-chair of the Make Space Youth Cabinet held in 10 Downing Street today said, ‘During the Make Space Youth Review we talked to 16,000 young people and the opportunity to meet with four Ministers and the Prime Minister this morning around the Cabinet table meant that we could take their views to the top of Government. The teenagers called for more places to go and things to do after school and it’s great that Gordon Brown has listened to the concerns that we took to him two weeks ago when we released the report and has now delivered new investment in teenagers’.

Anne Longfield, Chief Executive of 4Children said ‘The 10 year Strategy for Youth offers the potential to create a new generation of services for young people, with high quality opportunities offered through a new place to go in every constituency, linked into specialist help for those who need it. The teenage years are a crucial stage of development which we all have a responsibility to get right - this strategy has the potential to transform life chances for young people. Now we need to make sure this change is felt on the ground"

For further information please contact: Craig Jones on 07766 207395

For more information on the Government's plans for youth, visit http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page12685.asp