Standing up for our young people

Young people deserve the chance to build their futures here in Suffolk. Too often young adults must leave the area to get well paid jobs and have careers

With our proximity to the technology hub around Cambridge, Suffolk is well placed to attract growth businesses of the future to complement opportunities in green jobs in nuclear and particularly the off-shore wind industry.

It’s not just a pipe-dream The example of Halo a world beating business software company originally started in Stowmarket which recently moved into the iconic "Willis" building in Ipswich to accommodate its expanding workforce hints at what is possible

The County Council has a major role to play in creating an environment that allows new businesses to form and grow. With its role in educating our youngsters it is critical we teach and encourage young people to get themselves fit for the growth jobs of the future.

Liberal Democrats recognise the importance of getting people work fit and have outlined a series of policies to help do that

Our policies include:

Appointing a dedicated Cabinet Minister for Children and Young People to oversee youth work initiatives.

Committing to a fair, long-term funding settlement to support youth work, resources, and infrastructure.

Supporting charity-run youth services to access more funding and share best practices.

Clarifying and funding the statutory duty for local authorities to provide sufficient youth services.

Developing a comprehensive Workforce and Training Strategy to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled youth workers.

Strengthening partnerships between youth services, schools, employers, mental health professionals, and outdoor education providers.

Supporting schools and youth organizations to deliver outdoor education, aiming for every young person to have at least one such experience in primary and one in secondary school.

 We are also keen to expand youth services to rural areas by trailing mobile youth hubs and teams

These policies reflect the Liberal Democrats' recognition of the importance of youth work in reducing pressure on public services and delivering lasting benefits for society. Every £1 spent on youth work generates £6.40 in returns, highlighting the significant investment in youth work.  Give us the chance to implement more of these policies and make a great place for businesses to thrive with good jobs by voting for Liberal Democrat councillors on May 7