Funding aims to get children off their screens and outside

Sir Keir Starmer has announced an £88 million package for youth clubs and schools as he warned children are “too often isolated at home” facing the challenges of the online world.

- NINA LLOYD

The funding is aimed at delivering services like new climbing walls and music lessons in a bid to buck the “worrying” trend of young people “detached from the real world,” Downing Street said.

Groups like the Scouts and Guides will receive £7.5 million to help offer more places in local communities while £30.5 million will go to improving youth club infrastructure in areas with the highest levels of child poverty.

Some £22.5 million over three years will be used to fund access in 400 schools across the country to extracurricular activities such as sport, art and music, outdoor activities, debating or volunteering.

The expansion is part of wider efforts to “reconnect young people with the world around them” amid concerns children are increasing amounts of time online or in their bedrooms, Number 10 said.