LIAM LAUNCHES LATEST YOUTH CONFERENCE

BRUM YOUNG REAP CASH BONANZA

Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill, today visited Saltley School & Specialist Science College in Washwood Heath for the penultimate event in the current round of youth conferences.

In the past two months Liam has visited secondary schools in the constituency to listen to young people and find out what they want to see in their area. The conferences have seen innovative use of voting equipment - loaned to Liam by West Midlands Police – which produces a report ranking ideas in order of popularity.

Participants at a recent youth conference at Park View School even got a chance to chat to the man who holds the purse strings, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown MP attended the event.

Liam intends to use the results of these conferences to draw up a ‘Youth Manifesto’ which he will use in conversations with the local council, and when talking to Education Ministers about priorities for young people in Hodge Hill.

Liam’s conference comes as Ministers announced that Birmingham is to received nearly £3million of Central Government money over 2 years to fund an exciting new policy that gives a voice to young people in their communities.

The award, which is the largest to any local authority in England, will give young people control and influence over activities and facilities in their neighbourhood. Enabling young people to take real responsibility as decision makers and grant givers; project leaders and participants.

Liam hopes that this money can be used to deliver more activities in Hodge Hill.

Liam said

‘These youth conferences have been a real eye opener. Yes, young people want more to do after school, but they share many of the same concerns as their parents. They want to feel safe in their communities; to be rid of graffiti; and put an end to anti-social behaviour’.

‘I hope that I can deliver both. A continued crackdown on those who want to wreck our community, matched by more activities for young people to do, and the chance for the youth of Hodge Hill to fulfil their ambitions.’

‘This new youth fund is a sign that young people can make an impact on policy, and that their priorities are important to this Government’.

Gill Beddows, local parent and campaigner said

‘As a parent of three kids I know the importance of finding things for them to do. Now we’ve listened to the priorities of young people, I hope to help deliver more in our community to occupy their energies’.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown MP commented on the youth funding

"Teenagers are our future leaders, entrepreneurs and parents and their experience of youth is hugely significant in shaping the direction they take in their lives. So it is time for a youth strategy that is shaped by young people - based on listening to and trusting young people to develop the services they want and need to fulfil their true potential. This relationship with young people - built on trust and responsibility - must be a new frontier in British politics.”

ENDS