A consensus has emerged in UK politics that young people's lives are not as they should be, yet the response often reflects older voters' prejudices rather than addressing real problems. There is a deep-seated bias in the British psyche that favours age over youth, leading to neglect and misrepresentation of younger generations.
During the first decade of spending cuts from 2010, council funding for youth services in England and Wales fell by 70% in real terms. By 2023, around 1,200 publicly run youth centres had closed and more than 4,500 youth workers had lost their jobs. These closures have left empty buildings across villages, towns and cities, yet this loss remains a largely unacknowledged consequence of austerity.
A new book, Up the Youth Club by Emma Warren, highlights the importance of these spaces. It traces 150 years of youth provision, showing how youth clubs have been vital for music scenes, LGBTQ+ meeting places, and community connection. The book argues that youth services should be considered a basic element of the public realm.
The book recalls a 1958 Conservative government report by Lady Diana Albemarle, which found youth services 'in a state of acute depression' and 'dying on its feet'. In response, the Tories built 3,000 new buildings and 160 sports projects, professionalising youth services. This legacy provided dependable spaces where young people could develop and find support.
The decline of youth clubs began under Thatcher, but austerity dealt the final blow. The loss of these safe spaces has contributed to social division, polarisation and loneliness among young people. Restoring youth provision is essential to addressing these blights.
