1000 new youth workers to help reduce the risk of unemployment

The government is investing £450 million into youth services, the largest such commitment in decades, following a 73% decline in local authority spending between 2010 and 2023. This reduction led to the loss of vital youth worker roles and services across England, prompting the need for renewed investment. The new funding will address gaps in support for young people aged 11 and over, particularly those at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment, or training).

A total of 1,000 new youth workers will be recruited, with the first roles filled by spring 2027 as part of a broader plan to support young people ahead of a forthcoming social media ban for under-16s. These workers will operate in community spaces and through outreach, collaborating with education, health, and crime prevention teams to engage young people in activities such as sport, arts, and mentoring.

The initiative is part of the government’s National Youth Strategy, ‘Youth Matters’, launched in December 2025 with input from 14,000 young people via a ‘State of the Nation’ survey. The survey revealed widespread lack of access to safe, supportive environments and growing reliance on online interaction due to limited in-person opportunities.

The £450 million ‘Youth Matters’ Fund will also expand youth facilities, funding the construction, improvement, and expansion of spaces for young people to connect. Applications for the fund will open soon, with the goal of enriching in-person activities such as sports, music, and volunteering ahead of the social media ban.