WOLVERCOTE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CLUB AND FUNDING FOR YOUTH SERVICES

That this House congratulates the Wolvercote Young People's Club which has been providing services for the community in North Oxford for nearly 80 years; notes with concern that due to Government and Oxfordshire County Council funding cuts and increases in rent Wolvercote Young People's Club trustees, volunteers, parents and the community are looking to fundraise tens of thousands of pounds to keep services running at the Club; expresses further concern about the rapid decline in youth services in recent years; believes that youth work has an important role in tackling inequalities, raising aspiration and supporting young people's social and emotional development; and calls on the Government to introduce a statutory youth service with ring-fenced funding to improve services for children and young people in Oxfordshire and across the country.