OUR YOUTH NEED THEIR SERVICES

The warning from the Education Authority that its funding to youth services will have to be cut by at least 25% has set alarm bells ringing across the voluntary sectors its workers and the young people they support.

This warning comes during a cost of living crisis when families and young people are coping with increasing levels of financial difficulty. Families are becoming poorer and it is at times like these when young people need support as they struggle to cope.

UNISON's Education committee, at its recent meeting, expressed dismay at this development and committed to working with our members in this sector. They also committed to support community action across Northern Ireland to restore funding and prevent the closure of youth centres.

The committee also endorsed the call from the trade union movement that the Assembly be restored and an Executive formed to address this and the many other issues hurting struggling families.