Denis MacShane fears cuts will hit Youth Offending Team's success

ROTHERHAM MP Denis MacShane has launched a furious attack over potential cuts to Rotherham’s Youth Offending Team.

Dr MacShane fears that the future of the team is under threat because of cuts in regional and nation government spending and he has written to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke to protest.

Dr MacShane said: “The Youth Justice Board estimates that anywhere up to 20 per cent of its budget will disappear, whilst the Rotherham YOT itself reckons that their worst case scenario could see them lose up to 50 per cent of their funds.”

Youth offending teams were set up after the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act and work to stop reoffending and set up community projects for young people.

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The Rotherham team is rated the best-performing team in the region and is ranked 16th in the country.

Dr MacShane said that removing resources for high-performing preventative organisations like the YOT as a “dangerous policy when our prisons are already running at near-capacity.”

The Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We are not cutting funding for youth offending teams, who do excellent work with some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“The fall in young people entering the criminal justice system and reduced reoffending rates are testament to their good work.”

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