Youth Charter Response to the 2025 UK Government Spending Review

The Youth Charter welcomes the UK Government’s 2025 Spending Review and the targeted provisions made to support young people, sport, the arts, and community empowerment. At a time when our children and communities face unprecedented challenges, the announced measures represent a timely intervention and a potential turning point in addressing decades of underinvestment in youth services and infrastructure.

We particularly commend the Government’s recognition of the vital role youth services play in preventing violence, promoting inclusion, and improving the physical and mental wellbeing of young people. The allocation of £440 million from dormant bank accounts to support youth and community causes - £132.5 million of which is specifically directed to enriching youth services such as music, sport, and creative arts - signals a serious commitment to social regeneration and opportunity.

The continuation of the Primary PE and Sport Premium, valued at £320 million, ensures schools can maintain physical activity provision, which is crucial for health and development. Additionally, the promise of new capital investment in local sports infrastructure, youth centres, and community facilities addresses both a national and local need for safe, accessible, and engaging environments for young people to gather, learn, and grow.

Furthermore, the government’s acknowledgment of cultural enrichment through creative programs is vital. Access to music, drama, and the arts fosters not just expression and creativity, but also social inclusion and emotional resilience. The Youth Charter has long championed a holistic approach where culture, arts, and sport intersect to develop a well-rounded, empowered young citizenry.

The expansion of community-led initiatives - particularly the planned establishment of Community Wealth Funds and regeneration projects across 350 deprived communities - aligns closely with our Community Campus model. These localized investments can provide a legacy of opportunity, offering intergenerational engagement, employment pathways, and life-long learning underpinned by social coaches and community role models.

However, we must stress that capital funding must be matched by sustained operational investment. Facilities and infrastructure are only as impactful as the programs, staff, and partnerships that bring them to life. Youth workers, arts facilitators, sports coaches, and community leaders must be empowered through training and long-term employment opportunities to ensure these investments deliver lasting impact.

The Youth Charter also calls for robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks that reflect not only outputs but outcomes - social, cultural, and economic returns that demonstrate value for money and long-term change. Evidence-based reporting, youth voice inclusion, and co-creation must underpin all stages of implementation.

As we look ahead to the release of the Government’s National Youth Strategy in Autumn 2025, we urge an integrated, cross-sectoral approach rooted in the values of participation, purpose, and prevention. We also look to the international context, where sport for development and peace initiatives - highlighted at the IOC Athletes’ Summit and through global movements such as Soccer Aid for UNICEF - offer inspiration and strategic alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In conclusion, the 2025 Spending Review lays the foundation for a renewed national effort to invest in our youth. The Youth Charter stands ready to collaborate across government, civil society, and international partners to ensure this opportunity is not missed. Through a shared vision and collective action, we can deliver a legacy of hope, health, and opportunity for every young person in the UK and beyond.

We call on all stakeholders to work as a team - to win lives, not lose them.