UK Government unveils first National Youth Strategy in over a decade

The Government has published a long-awaited National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy, marking the first major youth policy framework in more than 15 years and backed by over £500 million in investment aimed at revitalising youth services across England.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the strategy as a bold response to the challenges faced by a generation of young people who are “the most connected — and the most isolated”. The plan sets out a 10-year vision to give every young person somewhere to go, something meaningful to do and someone who cares.

Key measures announced in the strategy include:

• £350 million for the Better Youth Spaces programme to build or refurbish up to 250 youth facilities and support activities in around 2,500 youth organisations.
• 50 Young Futures Hubs across the country to act as community-based support centres for wellbeing, career guidance and wider youth services, with the first hubs expected by 2026.
• A £60 million Richer Young Lives Fund to bring more enriching activities and youth work into underserved areas.
• Investment to recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other trusted adults, strengthening the workforce that supports young people locally.

The strategy was co-produced with young people, drawing on insights from more than 14,000 young people who took part in a national State of the Nation survey. This youth-led approach aims to place young people’s voices at the heart of policy design and delivery.

Officials and sector leaders have welcomed the strategy. Youth organisations have described it as a “long-overdue commitment” that recognises the value of youth work after years of service closures and workforce decline, though many stress the need for sustained and effective implementation at local level.  

The move also comes amid broader political debate about youth wellbeing and support. Alongside the strategy’s launch, Labour MP Natasha Irons has introduced a private member’s bill seeking to strengthen councils’ statutory duties to provide youth services — a move that would help embed longer-term, consistent provision at local authority level.

The Youth Matters strategy sets the direction for youth services over the next decade, with potential implications for youth workers, early help teams, family hubs and community partners focused on improving outcomes, reducing inequalities, and bolstering support for young people’s mental health and opportunities.