Torbay Council Short-Changing Young People

Figures obtained by Torbay MP Adrian Sanders show that Torbay Council spends less on young people than neighbouring councils.

The figures show that Torbay is only spending a mere £7.47 per person on critical youth services. Plymouth City Council, on the other hand, spends £13.50 per person on services like reducing teenage pregnancy, underage drinking and youth unemployment. This is despite Plymouth receiving about £300 less per person in external grants from the central government than Torbay.

In addition Torbay Council has not managed to spend all the funding allocated for youth services each year since 2006.

For example, in 2007/08 and 2008/09 Torbay under-spent £43,264 and £22,904 respectively of its budget for youth services. In contrast, Plymouth City Council overspent by over £173,000 in 2007/08.

Mr Sanders commented: “The figures I’ve received are disappointing considering the high numbers of youth unemployment, alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy – of which Torbay has the highest in the South West – affecting young people today. We need to be investing in our young people, particularly during these tough economic times.”