EXCLUSIVE: DIANA JOHNSON: 'Pandemic disrupted kids' lives and what is happening now is staggering'

DWP minister Dame Diana Johnson writes for The Mirror as the government unveils a £25million boost to double the number of youth hubs to more than 200 locations

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Football is the lifeblood of communities up and down the country.

Now, working in partnership with the Government, clubs are stepping up to help give young people in those communities hope for the future.

This is desperately needed, because right now, up and down our country, too many young people are struggling to find their way in life. Too many of our brightest prospects are stuck on the sidelines.

Today’s young Brits face challenges my generation never dreamed of.

The pandemic disrupted their education, stopped them seeing their friends and left many struggling to get their first job. They lost the rhythm of daily life.

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Now what we are seeing is staggering – one in eight not earning or learning. That is almost a million different stories of brilliant people, brimming with talent who just need the right help to succeed.

This is where football clubs – as well as libraries, youth centres and other community focal points – are making a difference.

They are helping us provide Youth Hubs – one stop-shops offering young people everything they need to help them into work or training, from career advice to CV tips and wellbeing support.

And thanks to £25million of funding we’re announcing today, we’ll be able to double the number of Hubs to almost 200 in the next three years. That’s more young people, getting more help into life-changing work, in the places where it’s needed most.

And the results speak for themselves. In areas where we already have Youth Hubs, we're seeing young people move from unemployment into good jobs and training.

This investment is part of our wider Youth Guarantee – our promise that every 18 to 21-year-old will have the chance to be earning or learning.

It’s on top of the £45 million already supporting eight trailblazer areas across the country.

We’re not doing this alone. Groups like Youth Futures Foundation and Youth Employment UK have fought hard for young people and we’re got fantastic partners working with us including the Premier League and Rugby Football League.

We’re backing our young people, giving them a clear shot at success and powering Britain’s future.