§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken within the education and youth services to ensure community cohesion; and if he will make a statement. [94589]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisWe understand the vital importance of education in developing community cohesion, and in recognition of this, the Department of Education and Skills worked closely with the Home Office, the Local Government Association and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to produce the recent Guidance on Community Cohesion. The Guidance will assist local authorities, along with other local agencies, in identifying the practical steps they can take to build community cohesion at local level. The Guidance sets out the vital role that education, the youth service and the Connexions service can play in building cohesive communities. Equality of opportunity is a basic principle of youth work and a foundation of community cohesion.
The Government want local authorities to deliver substantial improvements to their Youth Services. On 18 December I launched a document entitled "Transforming Youth Work: Resourcing Excellent Youth Services". This document set out, for the first time, the Government's specification for an excellent Youth Service and highlighted the resources available for this task. It recognises that when young people become disaffected the consequences are often a drift into anti-social behaviour and crime. It emphasises the Government's determination to achieve social justice and economic success for all citizens.