§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement about the Positive Activities for Young People Initiative. [169875]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Department for Education and Skills and New Opportunities Fund have joined forces with the Youth Justice Board, Home Office and Department for Culture Media and Sport to combine existing holiday activity schemes and deliver a Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) programme. It is designed to divert and develop those young people aged 8–19 most at risk of social exclusion and committing crime and to steer their energy in a positive direction. It is being delivered across England from May 2003 to March 2006. £25 million funding for activities is available for the first year of the three year programme. A further £13.75 million is provided, annually, by the Connexions Service to fund Keyworkers throughout England.
Provision takes place in all of the school holiday periods. Easter activities have already taken place but it is too early to measure it's success. In addition to activities one to one support is available for the most at risk young people.
The programme comprises of quality arts, sports and cultural activities and encourages young people to continue in these activities after the programme ends. It aims to bring together young people from different geographical and ethnic minority communities to help break down prejudices and misunderstanding.
Evaluation is scheduled to take place across the three year period but feedback indicates that at least 75,000 young people participated during summer 2003 and a further 40,000 in October half term in line with planned delivery targets.