Last month Jon Cruddas MP called on Havering Council to take a leaf out of Barking and Dagenham's book by investing in a Youth Zone. Whilst the Youth Zone is not owned or run by the council, Barking and Dagenham worked closely with the ?On Side' team to ensure the smooth delivery of services for young people across the borough.
This week in the Chancellor's Spending Review the establishment of a new Youth Investment Fund was announced. The Chancellor said: "Earlier this year I visited the fantastic Onside Youth Zone in Barking? a brilliant example of how much Britain's network of youth centres add to our communities. Getting young people off the streets and changing lives for the better."
Jon Cruddas MP commented: "perhaps this is the opportunity that Havering Council need to reinvest in young people across the borough. I'm pleased that after my calls last month the government have announced fresh funding for Youth Zone initiatives."
In recent months the Mayor of London has highlighted a link between declining youth services and rising violent crime ? not helped by harrowing cuts to policing. Sadiq has regularly stated that ?cuts have consequences' and since 2011 Havering Council have suffered government cuts of £750,000 to youth services.
Jon added: "after nine years of austerity and huge cuts to youth services, initiatives such as the Youth Zone have the potential to deliver the opportunities that the government have failed to provide for our young people. I find myself in agreement with the Chancellor, that these facilities are ?getting young people off the streets and changing lives for the better'. I hope that Havering Council also agree and do what they can to secure funding for their own Youth Zone."
Fay Hough, Havering Coordinator for Jon Cruddas said: "this announcement leaves the council with nowhere to hide, ?there's no money' isn't a valid excuse when there is funding on offer. I look forward to hearing their proposals in the coming months for a Youth Zone that delivers opportunities and a future for young people across Havering."