TEENAGERS will be able to earn discounts off the cost of leisure activities and CDs as a reward for good behaviour such as volunteering or high attendance at school.

The funding will come in the form of credits on a new “opportunity card” that will be given to all 4.5 million 13 to 19-year-olds in England, under plans unveiled yesterday in Youth Matters, the Government’s long-awaited Green Paper, The cards, which will contain the user’s name, date of birth and photograph, will be distributed with £12 of credit on them, which can be redeemed at sports centres, drama clubs or art and dancing lessons.

The cards could also be used to claim discounts on goods from high-street stores that promote “positive activities”, such as music.

Younger teenagers, aged 13 to 16, from poorer families will receive extra credits of £12 a month, while all teenagers will be able to earn top-ups for their card by doing voluntary work.

Parents will also be able to add credits to the cards, which will initially be tested in eight local authorities in England at a cost of £55 million over two years. If successful they are expected to be introduced across the country in 2008.

The cards, which will not be compulsory, may also reward good behaviour at school and may be merged with the existing Connexions Cards for 16 to 19-year-olds, which enable holders to accumulate points for good work at school and can be exchanged for trainers, CDs or days out.

The new cards are part of a package of measures designed to encourage young people to make a positive contribution to society. Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children, said that the Green Paper also aimed to give teenagers more of a say about which services are provided for them with government money. Young people in each local authority area will be given control over a share of an opportunity fund of £30,000, to be spent on local projects that they themselves want. This could be through the provision of a youth café or the running of a sports league.

“Having more for young people to do in their local area is a key issue for teenagers and for their parents. We also know that engaging in the right kind of activities in their spare time can make a big difference to young people’s prospects,” Ms Hughes said. She added that the proposals, which will be put out to consultation on November 4, will also introduce a new duty on town halls to ensure that all young people in their area have access to sporting or youth activities.

The Government is also creating a £40 million fund that local authorities in England can use to develop new youth facilities, and a new charity with an initial investment of £50 million to increase opportunities for youth volunteering.

YOUTH MATTERS

• Money off leisure activities as a reward for good behaviour and volunteering
• Young people to help decide how to spend £30,000 on youth activities in each council area
• Better information, advice and guidance for young people and their parents
• Connexions youth advisory service to be integrated with youth support services for teenagers
• A named lead professional for young people who need extra help
• A new duty on town halls to provide young people with two hours of sport and two hours of youth activities a week

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