Richard Quigley MP has been commended by the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, as well as the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, for his role in helping secure vital top-up funding to protect Early Support Hubs at risk of closure across the country.
This recognition follows a letter coordinated by Richard Quigley, including fellow Labour MPs representing constituencies with youth centres currently funded under the Early Support Hubs programme.
These centres, many operating in areas of high deprivation, were facing a critical funding gap, with existing DHSC funding due to end on 31st March 2026 and the Government’s new Youth Futures programme not scheduled for full rollout until 2027–2029.
Without intervention, more than 75% of hubs warned they would be forced to make redundancies, and over half anticipated they might close entirely. This risked dismantling proven services and wasting public money on avoidable redundancy costs.
In his letter to the Department, Richard highlighted the success of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, which has supported more than 700 young people since May 2024. The Trust has helped hundreds into education or employment, prevented homelessness, and provided essential mental health and wellbeing support. Similar achievements were reported across hubs nationwide, reinforcing the urgent need to prevent a damaging break in provision.
In response, the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth confirmed that the Department of Health and Social Care will provide £7million in top-up funding for 24 Early Support Hubs to extend and expand services into 2026/27. This additional investment means the Government has now committed over £20million since April 2024 to ensure thousands of young people can continue to access early mental health and wellbeing support.
The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to long-term youth provision through the Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy, published in December 2025. The strategy includes:
- Establishing 50 Young Futures Hubs by March 2029
- Rolling out NHS Mental Health Support Teams to all schools and colleges
- Strengthening neighbourhood health partnerships
- Improving support for children in care and care leavers
The Minister praised Richard and his colleagues for their advocacy, noting that their collective efforts had brought essential attention to the risk young people faced and helped secure a funding extension that protects frontline services while long-term reforms take shape.
Richard Quigley MP has welcomed the announcement, stating:
“This funding offers crucial stability for youth hubs that have been delivering extraordinary results on modest budgets. Young people on the island cannot be left without support during a one- or two-year gap in provision.
“So, I’m really pleased that the Government has recognised the need to protect these lifeline services, and I will continue working to ensure our young people have the opportunities, stability, and support they deserve.”
Jo Dare, CEO of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, has said:
“The IW Youth Trust was delighted to receive confirmation of this funding from the Department of Health and Social Care. It will allow us to continue delivering our vital mental health, wellbeing and practical support services for children and young people.
“We are deeply grateful to Richard Quigley MP for coordinating the joint letter, which not only highlighted our own funding situation but also drew attention to the national picture. This was an important step and a powerful example of politics working in the interests of the community.
“These actions undoubtedly made a real difference, safeguarding our services and ensuring there was no disruption to the support local children and young people rely on.”
