Andrew Mycock: The cash cuts that could silence a generation

WITH the spending review drawing near, debate over the depth and speed of public sector cuts is dominating the "conference season". Those supportive or critical of the coalition's cuts agenda often cite concern for the plight of young people, with the potential of a "lost" generation invoked to justify their position.

But one voice which is largely absent from such deliberations is that of young people themselves. This Government, as with the last, has so far largely overlooked the legitimate input of the one generation who will most likely bear the impact of the spending review and further scaling back of the state in British economic, social and political life. Such shortcomings are potentially damaging as the isolation of young people from this crucial debate could further alienate many from participating in democratic politics.

David Cameron has argued that young people will sow the seeds allowing the Big Society to flourish. But the impact of the cuts on funding for the promotion of youth citizenship and volunteering could be significant. Some youth-based initiatives such as the Youth Capital Fund have already had support cut and the review will also see reductions in funding to voluntary and other charitable organisations involved in youth citizenship.

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There is also evidence that local authorities are already reducing funding for youth services and more cuts to youth citizenship budgets are likely. Scaling back provision for young people could be seen as politically expedient by councils as many are not yet old enough to vote.

Such cuts are a regressive move and will potentially silence a generation who are just finding their political voice. Citizenship education is improving in quality and impact, with most schools also hosting democratically-elected student councils.

Applications for young people to study politics at university are

rising. Many young people such as those who freely give their time to serve on youth councils across the UK are also politically active in their communities and keen to engage in debate about the cuts and other policies of the Government. Youth councils provide an excellent

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example of democracy in action, providing opportunities for young people to represent their peers, articulating their concerns and campaigning for change.

For example, members of the Kirklees Youth Council recently convinced their senior counterparts to become the first local authority to ban the controversial Mosquito device which is used to deter young people from gathering in most public places. The Mosquito has been used widely across the UK as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and works by emitting a high-frequency sound that can only be heard by young people.

The Council of Europe recently acknowledged that the Mosquito discriminates against young people, infringes their human rights, and was potentially a health hazard. But its calls for a ban were rejected by the Government, with Police Minister Nick Herbert arguing it was not an issue in which they should intervene.

In light of this apparent failure of the Government to defend the rights of young people, Kirklees youth councillors undertook to campaign to ban Mosquitoes on council property. The decision by Kirklees Council to ban Mosquitoes was the culmination of a two-year campaign that was in many ways an exemplary model of youth citizenship.

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The Kirklees Youth Council consulted with young people in the local community and also linked with the national policy aspirations of the UK Youth Parliament. Youth councillors engaged in a sustained campaign that saw them present their case in the local and regional media and also lobby local and national-elected representatives.

However, opportunities for young people to represent their peers on youth councils are not universal. A postcode lottery exists as these councils are funded on a bespoke basis by local authorities. Some councils could attempt to hive off responsibility for funding and provision under the auspices of the Big Society.

But youth councils cannot simply be run by volunteers; they require expertise provided by professionals to lead and train young people in developing the skills and political literacy essential for effective engagement and participation on a sustainable basis.

The coalition has not as yet outlined any plans to encourage youth democratic participation beyond its National Citizen Service programme. Its focus on volunteering overlooks the fact that this does not necessarily encourage political engagement.

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Though the coalition might not acknowledge it, the actions of the Kirklees Youth Council in banning Mosquito sonic devices provided strong evidence that a youth-based Big Society already exists in many parts of the UK. But this is a Big Society where local government plays an important role in supporting youth citizenship.

Youth councils allow young people to hone the skills of democratic participation and engagement. Failure to provide sustainable funding would provide a clear message to young people in Kirklees and elsewhere that the coalition is abrogating its responsibility to support the future health of British democracy.

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