SINCE 1999, the United Nations has declared that August 12 each year will be National Youth Day.

The General Assembly recommended that public information and activities be organised to use the day as a way to promote awareness and action in support of young people around the world.

In these times of austerity, there are concerns about what the future will look like for our young people. Readers may be shocked to learn that the amount of money spent on services for teenagers in England has fallen by 36 per cent in the past two years, according to research by the BBC.

The long-term cost of the cuts could be enormous.

There is an increased demand in relation to safeguarding young people at a time when resources are already stretched.

We are currently seeing the constant erosion of Youth Services provision which helps to provide vital frontline support to young people and to society.

Youth Services can give teenagers a focus and help to keep them out of trouble. It can also help young people into work, improve the take-up of education, reduce substance abuse and promote better community cohesion.

There is more information about the cuts on the Unison website unison.org.uk/ cuts-to-local-services S Fletcher Bolton Unison