Teens given say over £115m spending plan

Gordon Brown has announced a £115m plan to reward teenagers who stay out of trouble.

The scheme is part of a fresh attempt to tackle anti-social behaviour in communities across England.

The chancellor said on Wednesday that 13 to 19-year-olds could receive up to £25 a month to spend on activities or services.

Around £500,000 will be available in an average local authority and over £2m in the very largest.

Brown said the reforms came after "listening to and trusting young people to develop the services they want and need".

"This relationship with young people - built on trust and responsibility - must be a new frontier in British politics," he added.

"Just as we must take tough action against anti-social behaviour, so we must celebrate the achievements of young people - like the many thousands who volunteer to work in their local communities.

"We must empower these young people to take responsibility for shaping the facilities and services they need.

"And, because for too long too little has been invested in youth services - we must show we have listened to young people - and will continue to do so - by making the investments they are calling for."

The £115m will be available over two years, with ring fenced money for local authorities that young people will be able to bid for to improve facilities and activities in their neighbourhood.

Children's minister Beverley Hughes said: "Never before has a government put so much responsibility into the hands of young people to let them decide what activities or facilities they need, whether it is a youth cafe or establishing better sports or art facilities.

"This is a new form of government devolving right down to local people including teenagers as young as 13 having influence over a multi-million pound package."

There will also be a a statutory duty on local authorities to ensure that young people have access to a wide range of "positive activities".

Ten pilot projects will be set up around England to develop a card scheme giving teenagers access to a range of discounts on "things to do and places to go".

The cards can be 'topped-up' with money from the young people or their families, while for the most disadvantaged young people the government will top up the card each month.