§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list her current major initiatives involving youth and voluntary youth organisations.
§ Mr. BowisThe Children Act gives local authorities responsibility to support children in need and their families wherever possible, and to provide services for young people. Standard spending on children's services for 1993–94 has increased by 32 per cent. since 1990–91.
The Department is funding a programme of grants to the voluntary sector exceeding £8 million to help them develop family support services, day care services, services for the young homeless and young people leaving care, and initiatives to divert young people from crime.
We are also encouraging and supporting organisations which provide information and services for young people in the fields of mental health, drug prevention and HIV/AIDS.