We’re told that we’re only young once and should make the most of the opportunities around us.
But these opportunities have shrunk, and under Boris Johnson’s Tories it is harder than ever being young.
Young people leave overcrowded, collapsing schools and then face debts of over £55,000 for a degree or zero hours contracts that don’t pay enough to survive.
There is no doubt that poverty and cuts to our public services have contributed to chronic levels of mental ill-health and loneliness among young people.
And it is not surprising that crime festers in this vacuum of support and opportunities, preying upon young lives.
Once upon a time we would debate whether more policing or more prevention was needed to deal with crime.
Click here for the Mirror Online's exclusive investigation into how the UK's youth services have been decimated, and why it matters
But the Tories have spent ten years slashing both prevention and enforcement – because while they like to talk tough, they have no idea what happens in our communities, nor do they particularly care, as top Tory strategist Dominic Cummings is on camera admitting.
Labour is on the side of our young people, and we understand the value of youth services.
They act as a deterrent against crime and the statistics are there to prove it. But they are so much more than that.
SEE HOW KNIFE CRIME HAS INCREASED IN YOUR AREA
Labour is on the side of our young people, and we understand the value of youth services.
They act as a deterrent against crime and the statistics are there to prove it. But they are so much more than that.
They are safe spaces for young people to learn new skills, form friendships, grow, seek help, and be supported to achieve their potential.
A properly funded youth service will help create the musicians, the sports stars, the artists and the writers of tomorrow.
The Conservatives have failed young people and communities who are living in fear of knife crime and county lines gangs.
They have failed young people and will fail them again if allowed back in.
Labour will make the very richest pay their fair share, and invest £1 billion to create a National Youth Service, build up to 500 new youth centres and guarantee every young person has access to local, high-quality youth work.
We will invest in specialist support as well as raising wages, scrapping tuition fees, and creating good quality apprenticeships and job opportunities for young people.
Labour is on the side of young people for real change.
