OnSide’s response to the Government’s youth investment package

Today, Wednesday 6 August, the government has announced a £88 million package, which confirms a range of investments aimed at expanding youth work and extracurricular activities across the country. The plans include funding for youth club infrastructure in areas of high deprivation, support for uniformed youth groups like the Scouts and Guides, and investment in enriching experiences such as music lessons and climbing walls.

At a time when more and more young people are feeling isolated and disconnected, we welcome this focus on real-world opportunities and support beyond the screen.

Here, our CEO Jamie Masraff, shares his response to the announcement, reflecting on what this means for young people – and what must come next to truly unlock their potential.

“We welcome today’s announcement and the Prime Minister’s recognition of the critical role youth services play in young people’s lives. This investment sends an important signal: that young people deserve real-world opportunities that are inspiring, accessible, and go beyond the screen.

Our Generation Isolation research highlighted the growing disconnect in young people’s lives, with smartphones being the most time-consuming activity outside school. Strikingly, over half of young people (52%) want to spend less time on their phones, but nearly half (46%) don’t know how. This tells us something powerful, that young people aren’t satisfied with screen-based lives and are asking for real-life connection, purpose, and support.

But we can’t expect them to reduce screen time unless we offer compelling alternatives. That means investing in safe, vibrant spaces, and exceptional youth workers who can guide and inspire. Our research found that 93% of young people who attend youth centres say it has positively impacted their lives.

This package of funding, drawing on previous investment in the Spending Review, is a welcome step ahead of the National Youth Strategy. But to truly transform outcomes, the strategy must be backed by sustained revenue funding and a long-term commitment to strengthening the youth sector and its workforce. This is how we unlock young people’s potential and rebuild this critical sector.”