Luton is to receive £177,698 to fund activities, youth services and opportunities for young people as part of a new £450 million government investment programme.
The funding announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (November 13), includes Luton among 60 areas across England selected to receive an initial allocation this financial year.
Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins has welcomed the money, saying it will help provide more opportunities in arts, culture, sport and music, while strengthening youth services across the town.
In a post on Facebook, she said: “Listen up young people of Luton – this one’s for you!
“This Labour government is giving our town £177,698 this year to fund new activities in arts, culture, sport, music and more for young people across our town. It’ll also boost youth services and make sure support is there when you need it.
“And this is just the beginning- it’s the first part of the Youth Matters Fund, with more funding set to be unlocked next year.
“The most important part is it’s going to be led by you – delivering the things you want to do and improving the places you want to go.
“So I’ll be following up to make sure Luton Council listens to you and delivers what you want to see.”
Ms Hopkins and Luton North MP Sarah Owen have written a joint letter to Luton Council Leader Councillor Amjid Ali to ask how the authority will ensure young people had a meaningful say in how the funding was used.
The initial funding comes through the Youth Matters Local Authority Grant, which is providing a total of £20.75 million to 60 local authorities during 2026/27.
The government says the areas were selected because of the level of need and evidence that young people have too few places to go and things to do.
The money is intended to provide enriching activities and youth work, particularly for those who are less likely to take part in existing opportunities.
It can be used for a wide range of activities, including youth clubs, sport, music and drama workshops, outdoor activities, special interest groups and volunteering projects.
The grant is aimed at young people aged 10 to 21, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people.
A key requirement is that young people must be involved in deciding what is funded. Councils are expected to consult them and demonstrate how their views have influenced the activities chosen and the organisations delivering them.
The government says the initial grants are additional to existing local authority youth provision and must not be used to replace the council’s existing funding for youth services.
The £20.75 million being distributed nationwide this year is the first phase of a wider £450 million Youth Matters programme.
A further £400 million-plus is expected to become available from 2027/28, with applications due to open in early 2027. The same 60 areas will be eligible to apply, alongside youth organisations and community groups.
The longer-term programme is intended to improve youth facilities, expand activities and provide more opportunities for young people to develop skills and build relationships with trusted adults.
The government has set ambitions to halve the participation gap in enriching activities between disadvantaged young people and their peers by 2035, while helping half a million more young people access a trusted adult outside their home.
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