Council tops survey of youth funding

But the GMB union condemned other North-East authorities for their lack of funding for youth clubs and other community activities. Some are spending less than a pound per week.

However, figures show that Redcar and Cleveland has topped the Northern region table, spending £122.94 per teenager.

That figure is well above the national average of £91.65.

Cumbria was ranked bottom of the Northern region after spending just £49.90 on youth services.

Colin Smith, GMB senior organiser in public services, said: "Some councils are spending less than a pound a week on much-needed youth services.

"The provision of youth facilities has to be seen as a necessary antidote to commercial interests, who see the youth as a source of income and profits.

"We will need to invest in our youth if we want to see an end to the binge drinking culture that grows in the absence of these clubs."

Most of the 13 councils in the area spent less than the national average on their youngsters.

Middlesbrough Council spent £78.05, while Durham spent only £55.28.

Coun Steve Kay, Redcar and Cleveland council's cabinet member for education, said this week: "These figures illustrate the value that this council has for youth services.

"We have always been committed to providing vital community activities for youngsters and continue to do so.

"In this instance, we have even gone in excess of the national average spend.

"Redcar and Cleveland runs an excellent youth service and we are expanding all the time."

The figures released by the GMB were put together using information supplied by local authorities for the 2003/4 Audit Commission.

The full table was as follows: 1 Redcar and Cleveland £122.92; 2 Hartlepool £122.04; 3 South Tyneside £120.93; 4 Gateshead £93.48; 5 Stockton-on-Tees £87.71; 6 Middlesbrough £78.05; 7 Sunderland £76.61; 8 Northumberland £72.55; 9 Newcastle £71.02; 10 Darlington £66.30; 11 North Tyneside £56.83; 12 Durham £55.28; 13 Cumbria £49.90.