HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has called on the Government to ensure the future of youth services in Harlow as Essex County Council consults over slashing their budget from £5m a year to £2m a year over the next two years.

Mr Halfon has tabled a Motion in Parliament which highlights the “remarkable” work of youth organisations in Harlow and the value they give to the local community and calls on the county council to protect the services “from any future budget reductions”.

Mr Halfon has also asked the Leader of the House of Commons, Andrew Lansley, for a debate on youth services in Harlow, and for him to contact the Local Government Secretary, Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, to offer assistance.

Mr Halfon has also raised the issue in letters to Mr Pickles and Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd.

In his letters Mr Halfon states: “Understandably young people and service providers are very concerned that the services they offer might be adversely affected by the outcome of the consultation, and I hope that you may be able to offer some reassurance.”

Mr Halfon’s motion in full reads:

“That this House notes the remarkable work of youth organisations in Harlow and the value they give to the local community; further notes that they help young people in need, and provide a range of services in education, skills, mentoring, sexual health services, sport, music, culture and other related areas; thanks the Youth Council for the work it does promoting youth issues in Harlow; further notes the consultation announced by Essex Council about the future of youth services; and urges that youth services in Harlow are protected from any future budget reductions.”

Mr Halfon’s question and the response from Andrew Lansley:

Mr Halfon’s question: “Has my right hon. Friend seen my motion 652 regarding youth services in Harlow? That this House notes the remarkable work of youth organisations in Harlow and the value they give to the local community; further notes that they help young people in need, and provide a range of services in education, skills, mentoring, sexual health services, sport, music, culture and other related areas; thanks the Youth Council for the work it does promoting youth issues in Harlow; further notes the consultation announced by Essex Council about the future of youth services; and urges that youth services in Harlow are protected from any future budget reductions.

Youth services in Harlow do remarkable work but their future is uncertain because of a consultation on services by Essex county council. Will my right hon. Friend do everything possible, working with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to try to ensure youth services in Harlow are protected?

Mr Lansley’s reply: Once again my hon. Friend is taking up issues on behalf of his constituents in an admirable way. I completely understand the point he makes about the importance of youth services, and all of us want to ensure we maximise the support we give to young people because, as has been demonstrated, young people not being in employment, education or training presents a serious long-term risk to them and the country, so we need youth services to be effective. I will write to the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), who is the Minister for civil society; I know that, with his new responsibilities in relation to young people, he will want to respond positively.