Written Question·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·UIN 66844
Youth Work: Rural Areas
Tabled: 10 July 2025
Answered: 18 July 2025
Question
Edward Morello
Liberal Democrat — West Dorset
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of access to youth work provision in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural areas.
Answer
Stephanie PeacockLocal Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people in their area. Local Authorities fund youth services from their Local Government Finance Settlement in line with local need.
DCMS has also published statutory guidance to support local authorities’ understanding of the existing duty and how to deliver it.