Sadiq Khan pledges £1.5m for Enfield youth activities as social media ban looms
The Mayor of London announced funding at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground to reduce summer crime risks for young people
Incident → evidence → outcomeYoung people in Enfield will have access to hundreds of summer activities funded by a £1.5 million grant from the Mayor of London. Sir Sadiq Khan announced the funding during a visit to Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground on 15 July 2024. The programmes aim to reduce the risk of youth crime during the school holidays.
The announcement comes as the UK government prepares to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram from next year. Khan, who has long advocated for the ban, said it is a necessary step but will not be enough to address youth violence on its own.
Why Enfield and why now
City Hall’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has partnered with the Premier League and 11 London football club charities to deliver the activities. The VRU director, Lib Peck, said school holidays leave vulnerable young people without the structure and safety that schools provide.
Alex White, Chief Executive of the Premier League Foundation, said the partnership will create safe spaces with trusted adults and role models. Football will be used as a tool to engage young people, but activities will also include arts, culture and media. The goal is to provide employability skills and life opportunities.
“I want London to be the safest and best place to grow up for a young person anywhere in the world.”
What the funding covers
The £1.5 million will support activities across London, with a focus on Enfield this summer. It is part of a wider £100 million investment by the Mayor’s office in youth opportunities. Since 2018, the VRU has provided 550,000 positive activities and 130,000 mentors for young Londoners.
What happens next
Details of the summer programmes, including how to sign up, will be published on the Mayor of London’s website in the coming weeks. The social media ban for under-16s is expected to come into force in early 2025, though the exact date is unclear.
Khan also met with government ministers last week to discuss reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs). The recent devolution announcement, which gives mayors more control over education for those aged 16 and over, was welcomed by the Mayor as a step toward better local support.
Questions this report answers
01What is the £1.5 million funding for?
The £1.5 million will fund summer activities for young people in Enfield, including football sessions, arts and employability skills. It aims to reduce crime risks during the school holidays by providing safe, structured opportunities. Details will be published on the Mayor of London’s website.
02When will the social media ban for under-16s start?
The UK government will ban children under 16 from using TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram from next year. The exact date is unclear, but it is expected to come into force in early 2025. Sir Sadiq Khan supports the ban but says it is not enough alone to tackle youth violence.
03How can young people in Enfield access the summer activities?
Details of the summer programmes, including how to sign up, will be available on the Mayor of London’s website in the coming weeks. The activities are part of a wider effort to provide positive opportunities and mentorship for young people across London.
04What other support is available for young people in London?
The Mayor’s office has invested £100 million in youth opportunities since 2018, providing 550,000 activities and 130,000 mentors. The Violence Reduction Unit also partners with football clubs and other organisations to create safe spaces and employability programmes for young people.
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