Reach report a springboard for providing role models for all young people - Hughes

5.59.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Aug 2007

Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat Federal President, responding to today's Reach report recommending the creation of a national role model programme for black boys, said:

"The Reach report is very timely and welcome. As a country we urgently need to do more to engage young people, especially from minority communities.

"While the focus in recent months has been on black boys, political parties would be wrong not to consider how all young people can feel fully part of society.

"Government, local councils, the police and our schools already do a lot of work to improve aspiration and inclusion. We must now make sure we have youth services, mentoring and career support as priorities too.

"This latest report should give us renewed momentum for plans in every community to provide role models for all young people."

ENDS