To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent steps the Government have taken to encourage children and young people to volunteer. (232524)

As outlined in the Third Sector Review, the Government are investing £117 million in youth volunteering through v from 2008 to 2011. This is the biggest ever investment in youth volunteering, and v has so far created around 750,000 volunteering opportunities.

The Office of the Third Sector has also provided funding in this financial year to the following organisations that provide or promote youth volunteering opportunities: Youthnet UK (£472,800), National Youth Agency (£315,200), Youth Action Network (£157,600) and the British Youth Council (£94,600).