Birmingham Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan has raised concerns in Parliament over the significant loss of youth centres in the city. During a session on May 18, he addressed Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy about the decline, which he described as 'devastating.'
Sharp Decline in Youth Centres
Mr. Khan highlighted that Birmingham, where a third of the population is under 20, has seen a dramatic reduction in youth hubs. From 59 centres in 2011, the number fell to 16 by 2019, and according to recent research, only 13 council-run youth centres currently operate across the city.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Khan said: 'In Birmingham, where we have a population where a third are under the age of 20, we have lost a significant number of youth centres.' He urged the Deputy Prime Minister to address this issue and commended voluntary organisations for stepping up to support the city's youth.
Government Response
In response, David Lammy referenced the Ministry of Justice's Turnaround programme, which focuses on early intervention for young people at risk of entering the youth justice system. The programme began in December 2022 and is scheduled to run until March 2026.
Mr. Lammy acknowledged the 'devastating cuts' to youth centres nationwide, stating: 'It will take some time to rebuild them.' He added that the Department for Communities and Local Government, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has a strategy in place, including a youth guarantee for young people in Birmingham.
Call for Action
Mr. Khan asked Mr. Lammy to join him in commending voluntary organisations for their efforts. The MP emphasised the importance of early intervention in crime prevention and the need to restore youth services. Readers affected by the decline are encouraged to contact Hannah Ahmed at hannah.ahmed@reachplc.com.
