Our policy update for January 2019
30 January 2019
Welcome to this month’s update on the policy context for London Youth members. You can find previous policy updates here.
Our policy work
Our Policy Advisory Group
Our Policy Advisory Group is a new way for our members to be at the heart of the policy and media work that we do to best represent you and the youth sector in London. The support and expertise of our incredibly diverse membership of 450+ youth organisations across London is our biggest strength in making a case for strong and sustainable support for young people.
Please consider joining the group as a way to engage in this work. By signing up to this email group, you will receive updates on our work and the policy context, and be notified about chances to input on specific issues. The link below contains two short questions about the issues and activities that are relevant to your organisations, and we will only contact you about opportunities that are relevant to your choices.
We understand you’re busy and that there is a limit to the time you can give – you can choose issue-by-issue how you engage based on what’s most important to your work and will not be making any automatic commitment by joining the group.
Consultations
The House of Commons Women & Equalities Committee is calling for submissions to their Mental Health of Men and Boys Inquiry, which closes on Monday 18th February. We will be holding a member consultation workshop on Monday 4th February and are asking for any comments or evidence you want to see in our response before Friday 8th February. Please follow the link below for further details.
The Department for Education are consulting on a new voluntary Safeguarding Code of Practice for out-of-school settings, including youth organisations. The consultation closes on Sunday 24th February and are asking for any comments or evidence you want to see in our response before Monday 11th February. Please follow the link below for further details.
The London Assembly Economy Committee are calling for evidence for their Tackling the Disability Employment Gap Investigation, which closes on the Monday 4th March. If you would like or have your views or evidence included in London Youth’s response, please respond before Friday 15th February. Please follow the link below for further details.
Updates
- The Mayor has published the long-awaited Review of the Gangs Matrix, which has been severely criticised for its racial disproportionality and lack of transparency. The review calls for a “comprehensive overhaul” by 31st December 2019, but supports the continued use of the Matrix.
- NHS England have released the NHS Long Term Plan, which confirms an additional £2.3 billion per year by 2023/24 to be invested in mental health. This includes a greater focus on new community services and expanded services within schools and colleges, meaning that an additional 345,000 children and young people aged 0-25 will be able to access support. The Government have been criticised about their plans to improve young people’s mental health.
- A medical journal has published research from a London trauma centre on the patterns of stabbings involving young people. The authors are calling for a school leaving times to be staggered to reduce youth violence.
- The Mayor has claimed he is investigating introducing rent control in London, despite not having the powers or funding necessary to introduce the policy.
- A new campaign of charities and think tanks is advocating for the social sector to emphasise the importance of place and place-based organisations to achieving positive social change.
- The Department for Work & Pensions are expanding the mentoring circle scheme to all Job Centres Plus in London from March.
- Article about the effects of austerity, gentrification, and London’s growth on young people.
- Charities say that the loss of the European Social Fund (ESF), and the lack of a promised replacement UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), will negatively impact young offenders, disabled people, and the long-term unemployed.
Reports & resources
- The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published quarterly crime figures for the year ending September 2018, which shows knife offences are at their highest level since 2011 across England and Wales, concentrated on London. The Mayor says that the data shows violent crime is increasing more slowly in London.
- The Low Pay Commission has published its 2018 report. All statutory minimum wages will increase in April to: £8.21 (25+yo), £7.70 (21-24yo), £6.15 (18-20yo), £4.35 (16-18yo), and £3.90 (apprentice). The voluntary London Living Wage is £10.55.
- IPPR have published The Baker Clause: One year on. The report finds that two out of five schools are not complying with their recently introduced legal duty to ensure that young people are informed of technical and vocational education. The Department for Education has recently published out more information about new T-level technical qualifications.
- MOPAC have published their Youth Voice Survey 2018, a survey of 7,832 11-16 year olds by Safer Schools Officers. Of those surveyed, 74% felt safe where they lived. Only 50% had a good opinion of the police and only 29% of those who had reported a crime were happy with how it was dealt with.
- NSPCC have published the key findings from the annual review of Childline. The top three concerns young people were counselled about were mental and emotional health, family relationships, and suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Get in touch
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or to get involved in our upcoming policy work.
