Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed investment for Shropshire to review its local youth offer but has added that Ministers must match the last government's level of investment in youth services.
It is part of the transition towards a new national youth strategy. In Parliament, Stuart called on Ministers to promote the strategy in rural areas.
In response, Youth Minister Stephanie Peacock MP stated: "Our engagement for the National Youth Survey has proactively involved young people from urban and rural areas..."
Shropshire has now been named as one of twelve councils to take part in a peer review programme, which provides local authorities with the opportunity to access an expert review of their local youth offer.
As part of the expert review, Shropshire Council is inviting the county's young people to take part in a survey being conducted in partnership with the National Youth Agency (NYA) between 9th and 11th July 2025.
The NYA is the professional, statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) for youth work in England. They are pioneering a model of sector-led improvement with the participating local authorities - including Shropshire.
The survey is part of a comprehensive review of youth provision and young people's needs in Shropshire. It is aimed at young people aged between 10 and 25 years old.
In March, Stuart called on young people in Shropshire to take part in the national listening exercise that was open until 16th April 2025.
On 15th May 2025, Youth Minister Stephanie Peacock MP stated: "The pilot will support councils to take a leading role in planning and providing youth services that meet the needs of their communities."
In a statement The Council said:
"This will give us a baseline of where we are at and support us to develop our plan to build back the community infrastructure that is needed to enable us to have joined up and connected youth services. This is a huge opportunity for us build back the Youth Eco-System to enable young people to thrive."
The expert review is part of an investment of over £145 million in youth services. However, Stuart has said that £79.4 million of this was already allocated by the last government.
In the 2021 Spending Review, the last government committed £191.9 million to youth programmes. This included £79.4 million for the Youth Investment Fund.
This was part of the last government's investment of over £500 million in youth services to ensure every young person has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and opportunities to volunteer.
Stuart has added that councils must be adequately funded to deliver on their statutory duty to deliver local youth offers. This includes providing sufficient leisure-time activities and facilities in line with local needs.
The campaign is part of Stuart's plan to support local communities in South Shropshire, which is home to more than 20,400 young people aged 25 or below.
The questionnaire is open until Friday, 11th July 2025. Young people can take part here.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"Young people in South Shropshire deserve fair access to youth services so they can develop the skills and networks that will transform their prospects for the better. That is why I have called on Ministers in Parliament to ensure that the new national youth strategy benefits rural areas like ours. While I welcome support for Shropshire to undertake this review of youth services, Ministers must match the last government's level of investment in young people. I am calling on everyone aged 25 or below to take part in this survey which will shape the county's new local youth offer."
