Michael Gove responds
27 February 2013
Education Secretary, Michael Gove has now replied to the joint youth letter, sent by representatives from 15 different organisations on behalf of over 8 million young people in England, expressing their grave concerns about youth policy not being a priority for central government.
Our Youth Advisory Board, Dare London, contributed to the letter which explains the value of good youth services and invites the Secretary of State to come to see youth projects in action. In the letter, attached to this page, the young people ask for youth services to be prioritised, stating that "removing responsibility from central government would be hugely damaging to both the quality and quantity of youth support".
The letter was supported by a survey conducted by YouthNet which found that 92% of young people feel that the government does not do enough to show they care about young people and their futures. The survey also showed that 95% believe that youth policy should be a key priority for national government.
Following remarks from the Secretary of State made during an Education Select Committee, a joint sector letter was submitted on behalf of 127 VCSE organisations stressing strong reservations about his Department's approach to youth policy.
The joint open sector letter can be read here.
The reply from Michael Gove can be read here.
You can watch the relevant footage from the Education Select Committee here: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=12362&st=10:10:00
