On Tuesday 23rd October I hosted an event in Parliament to showcase the best of Leicester’s youth services.

More than 30 young people came along with Soft Touch, Streetvibe and Essensual Rejuvenation.

They were joined by Leicester City Councillors Vi Dempster and Wayne Naylor, and some of our great Youth Council representatives.

I was really pleased Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg MP and the Chair of Parliament’s powerful Education Select Committee Graham Stuart MP came along to hear directly from young people about the huge benefits good quality youth services bring.

Investing in youth services makes sound social and economic sense – boosting young people’s self esteem, helping them get qualifications, and keeping them out of trouble and off the streets.

I think there are important lessons that the Government and other policy makers can learn from Leicester’s experience which you can read about here:

Liz Kendall MP Quality Youth Services Paper