Young Futures Hubs to support people away from violence

The government has announced that the first Young Futures Hubs will be set up and running later this year.

The hubs will bring community services together to help teenagers who face being dragged into violence and at risk of mental health challenges.

With a £2 million cash injection, eight hubs will launch later this year, and will be targeted in areas with high levels of knife crime and antisocial behaviour. 50 Young Future Hubs are set to be launched over the next four years.

The prime minister announced the plans at a summit hosted by the King at St James's Palace and attended by Idris Elba. 

Starmer said: “My government was elected on a pledge to tackle knife crime, and we have hit the ground running by banning dangerous weapons and bringing in laws to clamp down on illegal online sales. 

“We are determined to do more to prevent vulnerable young people from turning to violence in the first place and open greater opportunities. As part of the Plan for Change, we will open up Young Futures Hubs across to country to stop teenagers from being dragged into crime and find a better future.”  

There will also be trials of multi-agency Prevention Partnership Panels to proactively identify and refer vulnerable teenagers to a range of different support services much earlier, including the Young Futures Hubs.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper: “Knife crime devastates families and communities across the country, and too many young lives have already been lost. That’s why we’ve set out an unprecedented mission to halve knife crime in a decade and why we are working tirelessly with our coalition to tackle the scourge of serious violence on our streets. 

“We are bringing in some of the toughest measures to date, curbing access to weapons being sold online and getting them off the streets, but we also need to make sure that the right prevention structures are in place to stop young people being drawn into violent crime in the first place. 

“Today’s Youth Opportunities Summit is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when government, communities, and campaigners come together with a shared purpose.”