UK announces £132.5m after-school clubs package
12 reported3 unconfirmed
The UK government has announced a £132.5m funding package for after-school clubs, according to a single-source report from The Guardian. The programme aims to expand enrichment activities in schools, including music groups, debating societies, engineering, and sports, as ministers prepare to introduce expected restrictions on social media use for under-16s. The funding comes before an expected announcement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on measures to limit children’s access to social media, with restrictions expected in the coming days. The prime minister is understood to be considering an Australian-style ban, alongside options such as curfews and limits on addictive design features. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall previously said a ban is “on the table.” The Department for Education pointed to a survey of more than 14,000 young people that found many report high levels of loneliness despite being the most digitally connected generation. Ofsted will also take a school’s enrichment offer into account when assessing personal development, the department said.
What’s reported
The government announced a £132.5m funding package for after-school clubs.
The programme is designed to expand access to enrichment activities in schools, including music, debating, engineering, and sports.
The announcement precedes expected restrictions on social media use for under-16s, with measures expected in the coming days.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering an Australian-style ban, curfews, and limits on addictive design features.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall previously said a ban is “on the table.”
A government consultation on children’s online safety closed in early June, receiving more than 116,000 responses, with nine in 10 parents backing an under-16 social media ban.
The Department for Education cited a survey of more than 14,000 young people showing high levels of loneliness.
Ofsted will consider a school’s enrichment offer when assessing personal development.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the funding aims to ensure access to activities is not limited by background or income.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the programme would address inequalities in access to enrichment opportunities.
School leaders warned of delivery challenges due to financial and staffing pressures, according to Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.
The government expects the programme to roll out alongside broader online safety measures.
Open questions
The specific platforms that will be subject to restrictions under the expected online safety measures.
The timeline for implementation of the after-school clubs programme.
How the government will distinguish between platforms subject to tighter restrictions and those deemed lower risk.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary
Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders
Sources: The Guardian
