Youth work leaders in Scotland have issued a stark warning to national politicians and local councils as our Youth Work Sector Leaders survey report has revealed the sector faces an immediate funding loss of £20 million to the sector, with predictions of further losses of tens of millions post lockdown.

The warning comes at a time when youth work organisations are bracing themselves for an impending youth mental health crisis as a result of months of isolation for Scotland’s young people.

Key figures to emerge from our survey:

• National voluntary youth work organisations in Scotland are facing an immediate income loss of £20.5m
• 70% of youth work leaders in Scotland believe there will be cuts to services and budgets after Covid-19
• 60% of local authority youth work services face significant digital barriers in connecting with young people
• 92% of youth work organisations have moved their services online
• One in two youth work leaders believe there will be a detrimental impact on young people’s mental health due to lockdown restrictions