The government has announced a £132.5m funding package for after-school clubs, hours before ministers are expected to unveil sweeping restrictions on social media use for under-16s. The money will expand access to enrichment activities ranging from music groups and debating societies to engineering and football, as ministers seek to give children viable alternatives to time spent online.
The programme comes after a survey of more than 14,000 young people found that despite being the most digitally connected generation, many report high levels of loneliness. Ofsted will now take a school’s enrichment offer into account when assessing personal development, placing greater weight on extracurricular provision.
“UK government announces £132.5m for after-school clubs ahead of expected social media restrictions for under-16s.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Every child should be able to enjoy sport and the creative arts, not just the lucky few. Whether it’s performing on stage, playing sport, exploring nature or getting involved in their community, these experiences build confidence, spark ambition and help young people discover what they are capable of.”
The package is timed to precede what is expected to be a landmark intervention by Keir Starmer on children’s online safety. The prime minister is considering an Australian-style ban for under-16s, alongside options such as curfews and limits on addictive design features. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has said a ban is “on the table”. A government consultation that closed in early June received more than 116,000 responses, with nine in 10 parents backing an under-16 social media ban.
But the pace of reform has raised questions about implementation. Sources have suggested the government could face judicial review over how it distinguishes between platforms subject to tighter restrictions and those deemed lower risk. The Conservatives have called for even stronger action, with leader Kemi Badenoch saying: “Social media is for adults, it’s not for children.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I have always been clear that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. A child who loves the arts shouldn’t have to be born into the right postcode to pursue it.” She added that the investment would “break down the barriers for children and young people to access creative opportunities that could in turn open up doors for their long-term careers.”
The Department for Education said the funding will help schools provide structured after-school activities at a time when they are seeking to reduce pressure on young people’s mental health. The moves come as the government prepares to also introduce restrictions on “high-risk” social media platforms for under-16s, including limits on disappearing messages, live streaming and contact from adult strangers, as well as a ban on romantic or sexual AI chatbots for under-18s.