Tag: Young people

Almost a million young people to benefit from expanded support, new training and work experience opportunities

  • The funding will create 350,000 new workplace opportunities designed to support young people into employment.
  • Hundreds of thousands more young people on Universal Credit to benefit from dedicated support.
  • Guaranteed jobs scheme to roll out in areas with some of the highest need from Spring 2026.

Almost one million young people will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a major £820 million funding package.

Thanks to the funding, 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality will be provided to young people on Universal Credit to help them develop on the job skills, employer networks, and CV and interview coaching – breaking down barriers to employment and ensuring every young person has the chance to reach their potential.

In total, 900,000 young people on Universal Credit and looking for work will also benefit from a dedicated work support session, followed by four additional weeks of intensive support.

They will be referred to one of up to six pathways by their work coach: work, work experience, apprenticeship, wider training, learning or a workplace training programme with a guaranteed interview, designed in partnership with employers.

The investment will provide a springboard to a better future for close to a million young people, giving them the chance to gain crucial skills and support to find a job with long term prospects. 

As part of this training, young people will receive six weeks of training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview, giving young people their first foot in the door towards meaningful employment, boosting their prospects and supporting a stronger economy as part of our Plan for Change.

55,000 young people also stand to gain from a government-backed guaranteed job, which will begin roll-out from Spring 2026 in areas with some of the highest need in Great Britain. These regions are:

  • Birmingham & Solihull
  • East Midlands
  • Greater Manchester
  • Hertfordshire & Essex
  • Central & East Scotland
  • Southwest & Southeast Wales

More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the first six months alone, with local partners and employers to play a key role in supporting young people as they transition into meaningful employment with fully funded wages and wraparound support for young people.

Alongside this, Youth Hubs – centres where young people can receive vital help to get them back on track – will be expanded to every local area of Great Britain, bringing the total to over 360. This will ensure young people up and down the country can access the lifechanging support Youth Hubs offer, such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance.

There is an expectation that young people will take up the opportunities they are offered, and sanctions to benefits could be applied for those who don’t engage with the offered support without good reason.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, said: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them.

“That’s why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives.

“This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Too many young people fall out of education unnoticed, crippling their life changes and denting the economy.

“Smarter data and early-warning tools will change that – helping us to spot risks sooner, step in faster, and keep learners on track through our Plan for Change.

“With these ambitious measures, we can break down barriers to opportunity to make sure every young person gets the support they deserve.”

Recent data shows that almost one million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a 26% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Today’s announcement represents a major intervention to reverse this trend and ensure no young person is left behind.

It builds on a wide range of measures the Government is bringing forward to support young people, including expanded funding for youth trailblazers, and a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn into the barriers preventing the young from accessing work.

Earlier intervention is being prioritised, with a £34 million investment to make it easier to identify young people who need support before they drop out of the system. This includes a new Risk of NEET indicator tool, giving local areas more accurate insights to target support where it’s needed most.

The Government will also invest in further education attendance monitoring and provide targeted support for young people in state-funded alternative provision schools, helping them secure valuable work experience.

To ensure young people transition effectively from school into post-16 education or training, we are working with schools and piloting automatic enrolment with further education providers for young people without a place.

As announced by the Chancellor, the Government has committed to delivering a Jobs Guarantee for 18 to 21-year-olds who have been searching for work whilst in receipt of Universal Credit for 18 months.

The initiative will provide 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work to every eligible 18- to 21-year-old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. The young people will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.

The Government is finalising its National Youth Strategy, shaped by insights from over 14,000 young people, that will set out a long-term vision for youth policy across government.

Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO & Founder, Youth Employment UK: “The Youth Guarantee is a hugely important step forward and reflects many of the recommendations we have championed through our work.

“More than 8,000 young people took part in our 2025 Youth Voice Census, and the message was clear: they value work experience, skills development and local support, but too often cannot access it.

“This package – from the Youth Guarantee Gateway and expanded Youth Hubs to additional work experience, SWAPs and apprenticeships – represents the most focused investment in tackling youth unemployment we have seen in many years.

“We particularly welcome the commitment to early support, personalised pathways and strong local partnerships. We look forward to working closely with the government, Mayors, local areas and employers to ensure delivery reaches every young person, especially those facing the highest barriers. Together, we can make this Guarantee a meaningful reality for all.”

Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation said: “Youth Futures Foundation welcomes the Government’s focus and investment in tackling the growing, stubborn challenge of youth unemployment and inactivity.

“Today’s measures present an ambitious, comprehensive package to reform the system and support more young people into earning or learning.

“Crucially, reforms like the Jobs Guarantee are grounded in the evidence of what works, especially for marginalised young people. This will be vital to ensure a better future for young people and drive long-term economic prosperity.”

Naomi Clayton, CEO, Institute for Employment Studies, said: “With one in eight young people out of work and not in education and training, and the lasting scarring effects that can have, we’re pleased to see the government’s reforms to support more young people.

“We welcome the dedicated support being introduced through the Youth Guarantee Gateway to help prevent young people becoming long-term unemployed, alongside broader preventative measures to make it easier to identify young people who need support. We also welcome the wraparound support that will be provided to long-term unemployed young people as part of the Jobs Guarantee.

“Supporting young people to access meaningful work experience, training opportunities and good jobs will help secure a brighter future for a generation, their communities and the economy.”

Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs at The King’s Trust said: “At The King’s Trust, we know that when you match young people’s potential with opportunity, they can transform their own lives. This Youth Guarantee is a crucial step towards unlocking that potential.

“Increasing training and work experience opportunities, alongside a guaranteed job scheme for the long-term unemployed, will help the young people we support in our centres each day to start overcoming the barriers they face, and take their first steps into work.

“If we get this right, we can transform the futures of young people out of work across the UK, and build a healthier, wealthier society.”

Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent said: “Giving a young person that first opportunity can be game changing, so we’re fully supportive of government’s Youth Guarantee.

“At Severn Trent we’re tackling youth unemployment head on, and we’re giving young people real chances to grow and creating opportunities that unlock potential and true talent. We look forward to working together on this, and the role business can play in giving the next generation the very best start.”

Susannah Hardyman, CEO of Impetus, said: “We are delighted that the Government has chosen to invest in the futures of young people.

“With hundreds of thousands of young people neither earning nor learning, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds twice as likely to be NEET as their better off peers, this Youth Guarantee is much-needed to ensure everyone aged 16-24 gets the support they need to succeed, whether that’s a work placement, work experience or training.

“Expanding Youth Hubs across the country is a particularly encouraging move, especially as they are a place where young people can access support even if they are not currently claiming Universal Credit.

“As our Blueprint for a Youth Hub research found, a culture of hospitality enables Youth Hubs to be an easy front door for young people to start accessing the opportunities they need for a fulfilling life.”

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said: “There is a moral and economic imperative for government and businesses to work together to support more young people into training and work.

“These announcements will allow more young people to gain the vital experience that only work can provide.”

Dr Emily Andrews, Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute, said: “With nearly one million young people neither earning nor learning, we welcome today’s announcements to tackle the current waste of potential and boost our future workforce.

“Building on our long-standing call for a Youth Guarantee, we are pleased to see a more comprehensive offer developing, with a range of new opportunities for young people to access experience and training in the workplace.

“Crucially, the national system-level offer is being balanced by more place-based approaches, including Trailblazers and the continued expansion of youth hubs to reach young people outside the benefits system.

“We will continue to work with partners on the delivery and implementation of this package at a national, regional and local level, to make the most of these opportunities.”

Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: “From employment, mentoring and education programmes to sport and wellbeing initiatives, EFL Football Clubs and their charities are deeply embedded in their communities, empowering young people to unlock their potential and thrive.

“Through the Youth Guarantee, we look forward to maximising opportunities for young people via new employment hubs in EFL communities, ensuring they can access guaranteed pathways into work, training, and skills development.”

Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training is at its highest level for a decade.

“BCC research also shows that 75% of businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers, so it is good to see the government taking action with an ambitious plan to get young people into work.

“Expanding Youth Hubs and investing in the Jobs Guarantee will help young people gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the workplace. Our network of 51 Chambers of Commerce across the UK stands ready to help government deliver the Youth Guarantee in full.

“Ensuing young people can access fulfilling careers and businesses can find the talent they need are vital to unlocking growth.”

Tracey Collins, Director of Emerging Talent and Social Impact at Kier, said: “At Kier, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people and bring emerging talent into construction through hundreds of work experience and apprenticeship positions every year.

“It’s important that these opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of background or history, as every young person deserves the chance to flourish.

“To support this, we are delivering a number of initiatives to make Kier accessible to underrepresented groups including a pilot project with the Youth Futures Foundation as well as through our Kierriculum schools’ engagement programme.

“We believe that the Youth Guarantee will further strengthen this activity and we are proud to support the government’s work to collectively reduce long-term youth unemployment and help them reach a better future.”

  • The targeted support for young people at particular risk of becoming NEET to secure work experience will focus on pupils in state-funded Alternative Provision settings.
  • Alternative Provision refers to education provided outside mainstream or special schools for children who cannot attend a regular school—often due to exclusion, health needs, or other circumstances

Essentia Foundation invests record £3.5m in Scotland’s young people

Hundreds of young people across Scotland have benefitted from a record £3.5 million investment from the Essentia Foundation across 2025. 

This total includes their largest funding commitment to date, with £2 million recently awarded to eight leading charities across the country.

Funding will support these organisations to deliver programmes tackling youth unemployment, poverty, poor mental health and barriers to education.

Each of the eight charities, including Edinburgh-based Children First and Bethany Christian Trust, has received £250,000, enabling ambitious projects that are helping young people build resilience, develop new skills, and take steps towards brighter futures.

This major investment comes at a critical time. Young people have been disproportionately affected by recent crises, from the long-term effects of the pandemic to the pressures of the continuing cost of living crisis.

Many continue to face the lasting consequences of disrupted education and social development, alongside limited opportunities in training and employment.

Combined with ongoing mental health challenges and persistent inequality, these barriers mean that support for Scotland’s young people is more urgently needed than ever.

Brian Davidson, Trustee and Chairperson of the Essentia Foundation, said: “Scotland’s young people are facing some of the toughest challenges in generations, and the need for support has never been greater.

“These eight charities are already making a real difference in communities across the country. This funding will help create opportunities, build resilience, and give young people the skills and confidence to thrive.

“The impact of these projects will last well beyond the life of the programmes themselves, and we hope it also sparks further support from others who want to see Scotland’s young people flourish.”

Other grant recipients of £250,000 each from the Essentia Foundation include:

  • Aberlour Childcare Trust
  • Cyrenians
  • Sistema Scotland
  • The Outward Bound Trust
  • The King’s Trust
  • The Venture Trust

These awards, alongside the additional £1.5 million that has been distributed this year by the Essentia Foundation, underpin its commitment to support young people across Scotland through initiatives focused on wellbeing, education, skills development, and opportunities for employment.

The awards also mark a milestone moment for the Essentia Foundation itself. The Foundation has confirmed it will now wind up its activities, leaving a £1.5 million legacy fund to be administered by long term partner Foundation Scotland, who have been supporting the Essentia Foundation since 2017.

Helen Wray, Head of Philanthropy & Quality, Foundation Scotland said: “We are honoured to continue Essentia Foundation’s legacy through the new fund. For the last eight years, our team has had the privilege of working alongside Essentia to ensure its resources reach young people who need them most.

“This next chapter will see us build on that partnership by supporting grassroots organisations across Scotland.

“We look forward to helping smaller charities deliver vital opportunities that improve wellbeing, education and future prospects for children and young people, ensuring Essentia’s legacy and impact endures for years to come.”

This future programme will provide small grants to grassroots charities, ensuring Essentia’s mission of supporting children and young people continues well into the future.

For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/FoundationScotlandEssentia

Scotland champions the next generation of talent during Heritage Careers Week

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) welcomed more than 600 young people across Scotland as they took part in Heritage Careers Week 2025.

The festival of career events returned for its second year to spotlight opportunities in the heritage sector.

HES, in partnership with organisations across the sector, celebrated Heritage Careers Week from Monday 27 to Friday 31 October. 

The programme featured a mix of online and in-person events across the country, showcasing the wide variety of careers and employers in the sector – from conservation and archaeology to digital innovation and traditional crafts.

Highlights from the week included a careers fair at Edinburgh Castle, which welcomed over 100 attendees, and a hands-on skills taster day at The Engine Shed in Stirling, where 65 school pupils engaged directly with traditional craft experts.

Caerlaverock Castle also hosted a live skills demonstration, giving young people in Dumfries and Galloway the chance to see heritage skills in action.

As a hub of digital innovation and heritage science, HES’s dedicated building conservation centre The Engine Shed hosted the skills taster event with schools from across the Forth Valley.

In collaboration with more than 20 Scottish employers and Developing the Young Workforce, 65 young people had the opportunity to immerse themselves in interactive demonstrations including heritage science, thatching, blacksmithing, digital skills and stained glass.

Catherine Cartmell, Skills Investment Plan Manager at HES, said: “Heritage Careers Week helps people discover the diverse range of jobs available in Scotland’s heritage sector. These events give young people and adults a chance to get hands-on, meet the experts, and see how traditional skills continue to shape Scotland today.

“We’re facing a real shortage of these skills, but we hope this week’s activities will inspire the next generation to explore careers in the industry and keep these vital skills alive for years to come.

“History will soon be in the hands of the next generation.”

Heritage skills are essential in future-proofing Scotland’s historic sites and, in response to sector-wide skills shortages, events like The Engine Shed skills taster day aim to spark interest among young people and encourage them to consider a career in traditional skills.

Leona Hepburn, Principal Teacher for Positive Destinations and Transitions at Falkirk High School, said: “Events like these give the pupils hands-on experience so that they can have a go at different trades, bringing the subjects to life.

“It’s really important that events like these continue and we get more of them, because they build the picture for young people; it makes them see the jobs that are real and tangible, and not just the classroom environment.

“The young people are always buzzing afterwards! They come away and they’ve had a completely different experience to what they would in the classroom, in a safe and controlled environment. The whole event is just a lovely way to see young people grow and flourish.”

For information on how to get involved with Historic Environment Scotland’s upcoming training and skills opportunities, please visit:

 www.historicenvironment.scot/learn/skills-and-training/

Supporting young people onto the right path

£150,000 to fund grassroots youth services

Measures to help re-engage young people from low-income backgrounds with school and address anti-social behaviour have been announced by Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson.

Third sector organisation Youth Scotland will deliver a £100,000 investment in grassroots youth work to secure safe spaces for young people, helping them overcome barriers to learning and develop skills.

In addition, £50,000 has been made available to YouthLink Scotland to support measures that focus on improving school attendance and positive behaviours.

Announcing the support at Scotland’s National Youth Work Conference yesterday, Mr Macpherson said: “We want to see further investment in projects and initiatives supporting young people from communities impacted by criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, to help them take a different pathway and develop positive skills they need for learning, life and work.

“I have seen the demonstrable difference that youth workers can make in helping to divert young people away from negative paths, and instead towards positive behaviours and destinations.

“Youth work can prevent violence and anti-social behaviour before it starts, by offering trusted relationships, safe environments, and positive role models, and often reducing risky harmful behaviours from escalating.

“Youth workers support young people to build confidence and resilience, and develop skills to navigate challenges, reach their full potential, and positively contribute to their communities.” 

CashBack for Communities supports thousands of young people

Report highlights impact of programme

A programme funded from the seized assets of criminals delivered £6.2 million funding to support over 15,000 young people during 2024-25. 

The money has been used by Cashback for Communities to support 29 organisations delivering projects that divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime. 

A report into the second year of the programme’s three-year funding phase, which runs from April 2023 to March 2026, showed that after taking part in CashBack for Communities projects: 

  • 8,881 young people reported that they were less likely to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour 
  • 7,049 young people reported they had reduced involvement in anti-social or criminal activity 
  • 11,810 young people reported an increase in their wellbeing 
  • 10,524 young people reported positive changes in behaviour 

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “This report highlights the success of the Cashback for Communities programme which helps to divert young people from crime and anti-social behaviour and to make informed choices about their future — choices that positively impact them, their families and communities. 

“It is more than an early intervention programme – partners provide a range of support and activities offering safe spaces, trusted adults and opportunities that benefit young people to feel supported and inspired to thrive.

“Since 2008, CashBack has committed £156 million to supporting around 1.4 million young people across all 32 local authorities.

“Cashback’s success is also testament to the work of law enforcement partners in disrupting organised crime groups – bringing them to justice and seizing their ill-gotten gains, using them to deliver a successful programme across the country.”

Free Lifeguard Training opens doors for young Edinburgh talent

Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with The King’s Trust, is offering an exciting opportunity for young people aged 16-30 years to launch a career in lifeguarding through a comprehensive free training programme starting next month (August 2025).

To be eligible to apply, candidates must NOT be currently in full-time work or education (including school) and they must be aged between 16 and 30 years old.

Programme Highlights

The innovative ‘Get into Lifeguarding’ initiative provides a structured pathway to employment, featuring:

  • A pre-selection day with a swim test which will take place on 13 August
  • Free 1-week National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course
  • One week of work experience at one of Edinburgh Leisure pool venues
  • Mentorship from experienced staff
  • Job interview preparation
  • Up to six months of post-programme support
  • Reimbursed travel expenses and lunches

Programme Timeline

Week 1:         King’s Trust Team Building & Employability Skills Workshops at King’s Trust Venue

Week 2:         NPLQ course week at Edinburgh Leisure Venue. 

Week 3:         King’s Trust CV and Interview Preparation Workshops at King’s Trust Venue

Week 4:         Work Placement Week at Edinburgh Leisure Venue. 

Week 5:         Guaranteed Interviews & Celebration Event with Edinburgh Leisure & King’s Trust

Franek Karwacki, 18, from Trinity, is one of a previous cohort’s success stories. He left Trinity High School in summer 2024 with outstanding A-grade Highers and had been working part-time in a fish and chip shop.

Unlike many of his peers who pursued immediate university education, Franek chose an alternative path. Encouraged by his father, he applied to the ‘Get Into Lifeguarding Course’ offered by the King’s Trust in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, viewing it as an opportunity for professional development and personal growth.

Unlike his university-bound friends who were burning through their savings, it was an opportunity for him to earn a steady income in his ‘gap year’. The shift work didn’t bother him either with him enthusing: “I quite enjoy the earlies, starting at 5:30am and ending at 2pm, as it gives me time to pursue my passion for basketball,” he says.

The programme opened a door he hadn’t even considered before. “I hadn’t necessarily thought about lifeguarding as a career path,” Franek admitted, “but now I’ve gained skills that were completely paid for and got a job. The support from both Edinburgh Leisure and the King’s Trust transformed what could have been an uncertain period into a real opportunity.”

A year on, having worked as a lifeguard at Leith Victoria, the qualifications have springboarded him into his next chapter.  He has recently left Edinburgh Leisure to finally join his peers by heading to university in Sweden to study Economics and Society.  

 “I’m going to be looking into lifeguarding opportunities while I’m in Sweden to support my studies, so the qualifications have definitely come in handy.”

Karen West, Manger at Portobello Swim Centre emphasised the programme’s broader mission: “This initiative is a win-win. We’re providing young people with a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and potentially launch a career in the leisure industry. 

“For many young people, like Franek, this could be life-changing for them.”

How to Apply

For Programme related enquiries and to apply, email by 7 August:

CentralSouthEastScotlandOperations@kingstrust.org.uk 

Spaces are limited to 12 participants. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity!

Scran Academy launches new youth-led café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

North Edinburgh-based social enterprise Scran Academy has announced the official opening of its exciting new youth empowerment café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) – the New Sick Kids.  

Scran Academy is an Edinburgh youth work social enterprise on a mission to help young people realise their full potential in learning, work and life. Set within the Edinburgh children’s hospital, the new Scran Café is a key milestone in its drive to open doors for young people in the region.  

Building on four successful years running a popular café at NHS Lothian’s Comely Bank site, Scran Academy’s new café at RHCYP will provide employment and support for dozens of young people across Lothian, giving them opportunities to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and grow in confidence within a supportive work environment.

Initially employing six young people, the site will also provide a platform for hundreds of work placements and paid jobs. 

The RHCYP offers world-class healthcare facilities for children and adults both locally and nationally with 600,000 staff, patients and visitors coming through its doors every year. 

The bright youth-led space at Scran Café has been thoughtfully designed to offer a calm and comforting environment for both patients and their families navigating a hospital stay as well as staff taking a break from a busy shift. 

Commenting on the opening, Will Bain, CEO of Scran Academy said: “Getting the keys to our Scran Café at the RHCYP is such huge step for us! We’ve got big plans to make this a brilliant, buzzing youth-led hub that brings young people’s voices and choices to life. 

“Over the next 3 years our café at the RHCYP will provide work and training for over two hundred young staff and volunteers. Every one of these young people will access the opportunities, relationships and experiences needed to help them build their own futures.  

 “We’ve demonstrated our model through our partnership with NHS Lothian in the Comely Bank Centre, where we see dozens of young people step out of their café experiences proud, capable and ready for what’s next. Now we are ready to step it up a gear – and we are so excited to be doing it at the RHCYP, one of the most important places in our city.” 

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Service Director for Women’s and Children’s at NHS Lothian said: ”We are thrilled to be welcoming Scran Café to RHCYP this summer. For our hard-working teams, patients and families alike, the new café will offer a bright and welcoming space to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the hospital.  

“NHS Lothian is proud to be an Anchor Institution. Our mission to deliver world class health and social care is complemented by our desire to make our buildings and service delivery work in ways that support community wealth building and stable, secure employment.

“Building on our partnership with Scran Academy’s successful café at our Comely Bank site, we look forward to working together to increase access to fair work opportunities for young people in the region.” 

Councillor Jane Meagher said “What makes Scran and this cafe unique, is that they really live the principle that every young person has the potential, and the power, to thrive when given the right support. The young staff team here today are shaping their own futures. 

“This is exactly the kind of innovative model we want to champion in Edinburgh, where employability goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing, and where young people are supported not just to work, but to feel happy, valued and confident while doing so. 

“I am especially proud to know that Scran is fully integrated into the Council’s Accredited Pathways Framework for Schools, which means they are a key delivery partner in offering meaningful learning routes that equips young people right across Edinburgh with real-life experience, accredited training, and a strong sense of purpose.” 

MPs to investigate children’s TV and video content

A new inquiry will explore the provision of children’s TV and video content in the UK and what can be done to ensure future generations continue to have access to high-quality British-made programming. 

Research from Ofcom shows a structural shift in the viewing habits of young people, with television viewing by children dropping and YouTube now the most used app or site by children of all ages, with 88% of 3 to 17-year-olds using it last year.

The changing ways in which audience consume TV and video, has made it more challenging for public service broadcasters to make original TV content for children and for it to be found. This has a knock-on effect for those in our creative industries who want to make quality UK TV and video for children.  

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry will therefore examine how to ensure those making original high-quality content can continue and how it can be made easier to find it online. 

It will also explore issues relating to parental control of online content, the potential positive and negative effects of how children watch TV and video content on their health and development, and wider issues relating to the sector’s contribution to the economy and its importance to the UK’s cultural identity. 

Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: “Children’s viewing habits have come a long way, but whether they watch through a smart TV or a tablet, there is still demand for good quality TV and video for children.

“We all want young people to have access to a range of programming, so in addition to cartoons, they also see drama and factual programmes. We want them to be able to be educated and inspired, as well as entertained. 

“Changes to the media landscape, particularly the shift in viewing to YouTube, pose huge challenges for the future of children’s programming and the continued production of original content by our public service broadcasters.

“We want to know what prominence means for programmes made for children in the future world of smart TVs, streaming, video sharing platforms and endless choice.   

“We have a proud history of high-quality children’s television in the UK. Our inquiry will be showcasing the contribution the sector makes to both our culture and economy and how we can best ensure that content designed for children in all its forms continues to both educate and entertain.”

Terms of reference 

The Committee is inviting written submissions in response to the following questions: 

Children’s TV and video content in the UK 

  1. Who is commissioning and making original, high-quality, TV and video content for children and young audiences in the UK?
    1.  How can they be best supported to continue to make more?
  2. How does the range of content and genres for children vary between that provided by public service media, subscription channels, and both short- and long-form video sharing platforms?
    1. Which audiences, by age or other characteristic, are currently being underserved?
    2.  How can we increase the amount of news and factual programming made for children on TV and online?

Finding children’s TV and video content online 

  1. How can it be made easier to find original, high-quality, TV and video content for children online?
    •  How can the attribution of public service children’s content on video sharing platforms be improved?
  2. How effective are the tools available for parents to control what children are watching on public service media, subscription channels, video sharing platforms? 

Health and child development 

  1. What evidence is there that the TV and video content that children watch, and how they watch it, can contribute:
    • Positively to their health, learning and development?
    •  Negatively to their health, learning and development?

Wider benefits of children’s TV 

  1. How does children’s TV made in the UK contribute to:
    • The UK’s culture and identity?
    • Our cultural and economic exports?

Shameless Youths celebrate success of campaign for healthy relationships

Young people who have been leading a campaign to remove shame from conversations about relationships and online safety have celebrated their achievements with an event at Clydebank Town Hall. 

The Shameless Youths campaign, involving 17 young people supported by NSPCC Scotland, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Youth Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, launched last November.

It was set up to support parents and carers, professionals and young people to have realistic, judgement free and informed conversations about healthy relationships, on and offline.  

During the past six months the group of young people from West Dunbartonshire Youth Council have spread their message of healthy relationships, including what consent online looks like, through their web pages, video content, social media, posters and leaflets. 

They have reached at least 470 professionals, 104 parents and carers, 365 young people, and had 2,334 views of their video. 

The group, who named their campaign ‘Shameless Youths’, also worked with Glasgow artist Maya Rose Edwards to help create sculptures and other artworks that were displayed at Clydebank Town Hall earlier this year.  

At the event, on June 26, Shameless Youths took to the stage to explain their goals and motivation for getting involved and what they have enjoyed most and gained from the experience.  

Ilse Sanchez Posso, Lead Officer with Violence Against Women and Girls, and West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, also spoke about why the campaign matters to West Dunbartonshire.  

Euan MacLaren, NSPCC Campaigns Officer in Scotland, said: “The young people of Shameless Youths have been amazing to work with. They have engaged with a challenging topic head-on with courage, determination and a passion for change.  

“They have inspired parents, carers and professionals across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to have positive, supportive conversations with the young people in their lives, and helped young people understand what healthy relationships look like.  

“It’s been an honour to work with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.” 

Rhianna (16), a member of the Shameless Youths group, said: “There’s been lots of fun moments working on this campaign, including making the video. It has really strengthened our bonds. 

“Working with Maya was also incredible; they were brilliant at engaging us and allowing our voices to be heard. It’s been lovely to see how many people we’ve reached with the campaign; it’s really inspiring.” 

Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “While many children are confident online, technology is constantly evolving, and it is important for groups like this to raise awareness to the benefit and the dangers of being online. 

“Shameless Youths is sending a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges to create an online world where children and young people feel safe, included and empowered and I thank them for raising awareness of this important subject.” 

West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, said: “Keeping young people safe online is essential and the Shameless Youths should be very proud of everything they’ve achieved to advocate for others.

“It’s brilliant that they have been willing to step up and give voice to what’s important to them. 

“They have done a great job of working together collaboratively to spread some very important messages including letting other young people know that if things do go wrong help is available.” 

Resources for parents, carers, professionals and young people will continue to be available on the Shameless Youths website. The campaign also has plans to reach more young people and adults over the next year. 

If you are worried about the welfare of a young person, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.    

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday. 

The Shameless Youths campaign was led by a group of 17 young people aged 15 to 20. They named it ‘Shameless Youths’ because they want to be supported, not shamed or judged for their choices, even when something went wrong or mistakes happened. 

Local school kids team up with viral Grammy-longlisted young rappers to create new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Young musicians (aged 9-12) from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration, blending Irish and Scottish Gaelic in a creative celebration of language, culture, and connection.

The project, led by Cork’s Kabin Crew (the collective behind the Grammy Award longlisted viral hit ‘The Spark’) and Tinderbox Collective, brings together nine young artists from Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce (Parkside Primary School), a Gaelic-medium primary school in Edinburgh and five experienced young performers from the Kabin Studio’s ‘Kabin Crew’ project in Cork, who have been co-writing a rap song exploring their shared heritage.

Funded by the Foras na Gaeilge – Colmcille Fund, and supported by Barr na gCnoc, University College Cork, the initiative has seen the group connect through eight online writing sessions, where they have shared stories, built friendships, and co-written a rap track that explores the theme “Edinburgh vs Cork.” 

During the online sessions, the young artists shared stories about their hometowns, swapped slang, and exchanged other phrases in Irish and Scots Gaelic. The writing process became a cultural exchange as much as a musical one.

Each group writes in their own language, yet the similarities between Irish and Scots Gaelic have sparked a lot of interest, fun and humour, which really highlights the deep linguistic and cultural ties between Scotland and Ireland. The result is a vibrant, joyful track that reflects their creativity, curiosity, and cultural pride.

Jed Milroy, General Manager at Tinderbox Collective, said: “Tinderbox Collective are so excited to be collaborating with The Kabin Studio on this unique creative project.

“Their ambitious approach to making youth music both accessible as well as of the highest quality is truly inspiring for us all and to be part of them using that platform to promote Gaelic and Irish is a real honour. Long may it continue!”

From grass-roots youth work to award-winning productions, Tinderbox aims to ignite a spark in people – one which fills them with confidence, imagination, and sense of possibility, and helps them achieve things they never thought possible.

Their work uses music and the arts to bring people together and strengthen communities, providing exciting opportunities to those who need them most, and supporting young people to build their confidence, skills, self-esteem, and professional experience.

Máire Dineen, Programme Manager at Kabin Crew, said: “The Kabin Studio is delighted to be part of this project and looks forward to building new relationships with our Scottish friends through music and language.”

The collaboration will culminate in a professional recording and music video. Five of the Edinburgh participants will travel to Cork on 27th June to record the track at the Kabin Studio, while five members of Kabin Crew will later visit Edinburgh to film the video alongside their new collaborators.

The Kabin Studio, based in Knocknaheeny, Cork, is a dynamic youth music and creative hub known for empowering young people through songwriting, rap, and performance. It provides a safe and inspiring space for young artists to express themselves, collaborate, and develop their talents.

Talking about this project, Heidi from Kabin Crew, said: “I feel it’s an amazing way for kids in the North Side to learn Irish and Gaelic.

“I can’t wait to meet my new friends in Edinburgh, they were really nice over Zoom, super sweet and I can’t wait to meet them”

Archie, aged 10, from Edinburgh said – “It’s been working really well getting to write a song in Gaelic and Irish and meeting the Kabin Studio guys.

“It’s really interesting to meet Irish Gaelic rappers. I hope is that if we keep doing this we could get as famous as the Kabin Crew!”

By writing and performing in Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, these young artists are helping to bring these rich, historically underrepresented languages to audiences who wouldn’t usually engage with them and showing them that Gaelic languages are not only alive but thriving in the voices of the next generation.

The Tinderbox and Kabin Crew collaboration will be released later this year.