Graham Stuart MP: National Citizen Service roll-out costs "hard to justify"

IN A REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY, Thursday 23 June 2011, the House of Commons Education Select Committee warns that extending the National Citizen Service (NCS) to all 600,000 16-year olds could have a price tag in excess of £350 million each year - even if only 50% of young people take part. This would make it more costly than the entirety of youth services currently provided by local authorities.

The NCS launched in February this year and will be available to 11,000 people in 2011 and 30,000 in 2012. The Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed a wish to see all 16 year olds being offered the opportunity to take part. However the Education Select Committee says it "cannot support" the 6-week flagship programme in current form as costs may exceed the entire public spending on youth services.

Local MP Graham Stuart is Chair of the Education Select Committee and had this to say on the report:

"The Government's idea of using the National Citizen Service to inspire young people to engage with their communities, mix socially and build their skills is a good one. However, the pilots are proving to be expensive and full roll-out would be hard to justify when cuts, which the Government itself calls disproportionate, are impacting existing youth services provided by local authorities. The NCS should be adapted so that it accredits existing programmes while introducing a new focus and resources into the sector."

The cost of National Citizen Service in 2011 is around £1,182 per young person. By contrast, the German federal Government spends £1,228 per young person for a whole year's work-based volunteering programme. The Education Select Committee says it does not see how the Government can justify spending the same amount for only six weeks of National Citizen Service.

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Aiming High! - Celebrating Youth Volunteering in the East Riding

OLYMPICS ATHLETE and current British in-line skating champion Jenna Downing will be attending an event next week to celebrate the volunteering work done by young people across the East Riding.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Youth Service is hosting the event on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 at the Hexagon Music Centre, Beverley to celebrate the positive involvement of all the volunteers within the youth service who fulfil a variety of roles including counselling young people and detached youth work.

"for young people to give up their time and energy to help others is very inspiring"

The event is an opportunity to recognise the voluntary work of young people who have made a positive contribution to the youth service. The young people have undertaken a number of projects including anti-bullying campaigns, allocating the Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) to other groups of young people and also ensuring young people’s voices are listened to across the council through the East Riding Youth Assembly.

Jenna Downing, says on her website: “Throughout my sports journey I have obtained some valuable life experiences and learnt some worthy lessons as I’ve battled my way to get to the top. Now, as a role model, I want to share with others my personal stories of success and hardship in the hope that I can inspire and influence other peoples’ lives, because that for me is the greatest achievement.”

Alison Michalska, director of children, family and adult services who will be attending the event said: “Volunteering at any age is a tremendous thing to do, but for young people to give up their time and energy to help others is very inspiring. I hope the young people can build on the positive experiences they have had and continue this good work.”

East Yorkshire Young Leaders, who have been involving other young people in community projects in the run up the London 2012 Olympics will also be attending the event..

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