November EC Meeting 2019

The Labour Party’s Vision for Rebuilding Youth Services

Preface

Only Young Once sets out Labour’s vision for rebuilding youth services nationwide. In June 2018 the Labour Party launched a consultation on our vision for youth services. Only Young Once is a product of that consultation. It draws on evidence from written submissions, survey responses from young people and numerous study visits, extensive meetings with core stakeholders and expert advice, as well as policy development discussions within the Labour Party’s structures and with our affiliated organisations.

I am enormously grateful and would like to thank all those who voluntarily provided their time, knowledge, skills and experiences to the process, including my own team of support staff. This document is intended to capture the complementary ideas and best proposals which have emerged from our rigorous, collaborative work together. Thank you. Only Young Once draws inspiration from the progressive work pursued by the Welsh Labour government for youth services in Wales but it will apply only in England. Youth services are devolved matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The devolved national administrations will develop their own, nationally tailored policies and services for youth in each country, a task which will be made more possible by the existing consequential funding arrangements. In government, for England, Labour will continue our close working arrangements with the voluntary sector and all the other stakeholders with an interest in youth services, as we take these proposals forward and turn them into action.

Cat Smith MP, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs

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