Government Youth Funding Promises Too Late For Local Hub

Columbia Road Youth Project has closed down “due to shortage of staff” according to a sign posted in the centre’s window. This comes just weeks after promises from chancellor of the exchequer that there would be a new youth investment fund of £500m to create 60 new youth centres and refurbish 360 existing facilities.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, slammed the Mr Javid’s promises, saying: “While we welcome any extra funding for public services, the reality is that the Chancellor’s announcement is a drop in the ocean compared to the £1bn reduction on spending on youth services since 2010, all because of the government’s austerity cuts.”

Mr Biggs’ concern seems to have been realised by the closure of Columbia Road Youth Project. The announcement came via a note posted in the window on 6th November, that reads: “Centre is closed due to shortage of staff. Sorry for the inconvenience – Columbia Team.” There is no indication how or when it might be re-opened.

Columbia Road Youth Project’s team leader Noor Uddin was approached for comment on the situation, but declined to speak.

Since the summer the centre had been closing two hours earlier than usual. However, even given the shortened hours, the centre had been completely locked and lifeless for the past month before official notification of its closure.

Last year the Local Government Association warned that by 2020 local authorities would face a £2bn funding gap for the necessary support to vulnerable children and families. Mr. Biggs believes this could be stopped by a Labour government who would “reinvest in our public services” and “rebuild youth services across the country by providing a new ring-fenced Youth Services Fund”.