At last, a sensible solution from Martin Kettle to the current crisis of youth misogyny, knife crime, mental ill health and radicalisation (After Southport, Westminster is floundering. It should look to Idris Elba, 30 January). Those of us in the youth and community sector have watched successive governments demolish our excellent universal, statutory service, leaving it hanging by the fragile thread of short-term, problem-focused charity funding.
Isn’t it plain to see that social education is fundamental to steering young people towards sociable, conscious and contented lives? While youth work is not a panacea, it offers a curriculum based on understanding adolescence, building positive relationships and bringing out the immense talent and creativity of young people.
