·      New analysis published by the Centre for Young Lives estimates that for every £1 invested in youth provision- including youth centres, youth workers, and positive activities for young people to do - there would be a return of at least £2.40 in financial, economic, and social benefits.

·      The report presents how beneficial investing in youth provision can be, detailing how £1.46bn,over the next three years, could deliver an ambitious new model that brings together the three ‘building blocks’ of youth provision: providing somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to.

The Centre for Young Lives is today (Wednesday4^th June) publishing a new report, “Ambitious for Young People: a new era of support and opportunities”.

The report puts forwards a new youth provision offer for all young people in England and provides a new cost-benefit analysis, produced by Alma Economics, showing the huge benefits of investing in youth provision.

This analysis estimates that for every £1 invested in youth provision - including youth centres, youth workers, and positive activities for young people to do - there would be a return of at least £2.40 in financial, economic, and social benefits.

This report sets out the current challenges facing young people, from an escalating mental health crisis to concerning levels of serious violence, high numbers of children absent from school, and a huge rise in the number of young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training. It explores the role of youth services in overcoming these challenges.

The report’s new costed model for youth provision outlines where existing funding can be better coordinated as well as establishing where new funding – and how much – is required. It estimates that the government would need to invest £1.46bn over the next three years to deliver an ambitious but achievable new model of youth provision that brings together the three ‘building blocks’ of youth provision: providing somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to.

·       Somewhere to go: The report argues for 1,000 new or refurbished youth centres, including 210 Young Futures Hubs over the first three years, delivered initially by refitting and extending existing centres and facilities, and making the most of what’s already there in the community.

·       Something to do: The report calls for year-round regular activities outside of the school day including youth work, holiday activities and after-school clubs, sports, arts and culture, as well as Young Futures Hubs and early help and prevention partnerships to connect young people to other services, support and opportunities.

·      Someone to talk to: The report recommends there are 10,000additional trained youth practitioners, including 1,600 practitioners fast-tracked to staff Young Futures Hubs, alongside the mobilisation of adult and near-to-peer volunteers, and paid placements for young people within employment programmes.

Alma Economics analysis in the report shows that each individual building block delivers a positive return.

·       From benefits to productivity alone, investing in youth centres would deliver £590 million per annum in 2031, rising to £2.6 billion per annum in2035.

·       Delivering the recommended programme of out of school activities for secondary-school aged children would return £560 million in 2026 in benefits to mental health and wellbeing, rising substantially over the first four years to over £2.4 billion in 2030.

·       The recommended investment in youth practitioners would return £60 million from benefits to youth crime alone, rising to £250 million by 2030.

·       The recommended investment in this model would pay for itself. Alma Economics estimates that the investment would break even after 15-to-20 years, with substantial social benefits on top of this financial return.

The report argues that by investing in youth centres, youth workers, and positive activities for young people to do, the benefits for young people would be far-reaching. The presence of youth centres has been linked to lower crime and better educational outcomes, while having access to engaging free or affordable activities is shown to improve young people’s confidence, skills, and development. The costs of not investing are greater than doing so.

The report envisions a vibrant future for youth provision where every young person has access to safe, welcoming spaces that foster safety, belonging, and growth. These spaces offer a diverse range of engaging activities—from sports and creative arts to skills development and leadership opportunities—designed to inspire, challenge, and empower. At the heart of this vision are dedicated youth workers who build positive trusted relationships, provide guidance, and support young people through life's challenges and transitions.

Baroness Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives, said:

“Sustainable and well-resourced universal, open access youth provision is an essential part of boosting life chances, particularly for the most vulnerable children. At the heart of this is Young Futures – a Sure Start model for teenagers which this government has committed to bringing forward.

“The new cost benefit analysis in this report highlights the huge social and economic benefits of investing in youth provision, including improved skills for life and work, better mental and physical health, and through less crime or violence.

“Our estimates do not even include the significant wider economic and social benefits including improved physical health, lower school suspensions, reduced inequality, and improved social cohesion.

“Re-building this infrastructure of the youth sector cannot happen overnight, which is why action needs to urgently begin, with sustainable funding for youth provision delivered through the Spending Review.

“The Government has set out an ambitious agenda for young people, but this cannot be delivered without a thriving, universal, and sustainable youth sector. A truly transformative vision for the country - one that is fairer, safer, and more cohesive for future generations - depends on seizing this opportunity.”

Read the report online here.

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