§ Mr. Boris JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) which areas have been targeted for support under the Positive Activities for Young People programme; how these areas were decided upon; what targets have been set for the programme; and how success in those targets will be measured; [176457]
(2) what estimate she has made of the impact of the Positive Activities for Young People scheme on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. [176460]
§ Mr. CabornPositive Activities for Young People (PAYP) is delivered in every Government office region in England. The target Local Education Authority areas within each region were selected using a weighting system encompassing crime levels education goals on truancy and attendance and experience of previous activity schemes.
The PAYP target is to provide up to 22,500 full-time equivalent places (this could involve up to 67,000 young people) on diversionary activities for 'at risk' young people and to provide key worker support for up to 7,500 young people with a view to engaging them with positive outcomes within education and training and thereby reducing the likelihood of offending. Young people remain engaged in PAYP for as long as they need this type of support. The aim is to achieve a 65 per cent. positive outcome rate for PAYP participants, which is measured by entry into education, training and employment.
There is in place a three-year programme of evaluation that will look at the impact of PAYP over a period of time.