MEP Alex Mayer claims Cambridgeshire's spending on youth services has been slashed due to government cuts

New figures revealed this week, show that spending on youth services in Cambridgeshire has been slashed by £330,000 since 2011.

The drop has lead to local Euro MEP Alex Mayer slamming shortsighted Conservative government cuts.

With the summer holidays now in full swing Ms Mayer expressed her concern stating that after eight years of Tory austerity, many parts of our county now have no recognisable youth services at all.

She says the Labour Party has vowed to make it a legal obligation for youth services to be provided in every area of England, with ring-fenced spending and that studies have shown the economic benefit of investing in youth work.

For example, a 2016 study in Scotland estimated a return of £7 of value for every £1 spent on youth work.

Ms Mayer said: “Good-quality youth services can aid young people develop new friendships and skills for life. They can also help prevent anti-social behaviour, gang violence and mental health problems.

"It’s time for a step change in attitude and funding. The Government has left youth services in Cambridgeshire devastated after eight years of brutal cuts.

"We urgently need the government to adequately fund councils so that local youngsters stop being failed.”