Bid to axe welsh agency under fire

Proposals to scrap the Welsh Youth Agency could lead to a
reduction in work to improve the lives of young people, it is
feared.

Under the plans, announced by the Welsh assembly last week, the
work of the agency would be subsumed into its own programme. The
assembly said the move reflected the increasing importance it was
putting on work with young people.

But, while welcoming the assembly’s commitment to youth work,
Jim Humphreys, Welsh Principal Youth Officers’ group chair, said
there were several issues that needed to be addressed to protect
the agency’s work.

The group has written to agency chair Howard Williamson voicing
its concerns. Among these are maintaining an independent voice for
youth work, supporting council youth services, and considering how
to deliver education and training.