Industry News
£40 a month for "positive activities"
Posted on 13th September 2007
Pilot projects are to be run which give disadvantaged youths money to pay for "positive activities", it was announced today.
Young people's minister Beverley Hughes said nine local authorities will trial the scheme which will be aimed at pupils who receive free school meals or who are in care.
They will each receive £40 a month to spend on activities which the minister believes will include sport, drama, music and outdoor pursuits.
Ms Hughes said she wanted to provide somewhere safe for youngsters to engage in positive activities which could boost levels of confidence in participants.
She added: "Consultation with young people ahead of this strategy showed that young people wanted safe places to go, someone they could trust to talk to and more positive things to do."
For parents whose children do not qualify for the aid, the costs of extra curricular activities can be high.
A recent report by Alliance & Leicester claimed out of hours activities can add a further £3 billion to annual school expenses.