Reposted by Matt LentSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 23/04/2026New post just out: I talked to Alan Milburn on why the government is struggling, how politics has changed since he was in Blair's cabinet, and how he's proposing to tackle youth unemplyoment. (Free to read) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/m...open.substack.com"My generation thought in argument"Alan Milburn on how politics has changed and tackling youth unemployment 1810425
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 12/02/2026This is one of the most damning indictments of the previous Government and the damaging austerity agenda. It's impact is being felt deeply today and will last for a generation. 120
Reposted by Matt LentThe Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 07/02/2026“It brings up mixed emotions to represent 🇺🇸 right now… there’s obviously a lot of things going on I’m not the biggest fan of.” #Olympics2026 #TrumpsAmerica 702444750
Reposted by Matt LentDavid Aaronovitch @davidsonofaaron.bsky.social · 26/01/2026No thanks Mr Trump. A free post open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...open.substack.comShould British Jews flee to America?A reply to an invitation 25416
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 19/01/2026…and a random antisemite can purchase a semi-automatic rifle in a supermarket. 000
Reposted by Matt LentOldManLefty @jonbandit.bsky.social · 19/01/2026This site keeps track of Trump's corruption for us, because our brains can't hold that much data.. campaignlegal.org/sites/defaul...campaignlegal.org 22517232
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 17/12/2025Brexit was always going to be a disaster for so many, but as is usually the way, it’s young people who felt the biggest impact. The rejoining of Erasmus is a meaningful win, next we need the right for under 25s to live and work in the EU. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...theguardian.comUK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programmeExclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say 010
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Because, of course, nothing else has happened in the past 10 years that’s unique to Britain’s economy. Cough…Brexit Cough…austerity 020
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 04/12/2025How dare we include asylum seekers in the conversation about asylum seekers 🙄 010
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 03/12/2025Can we call them the 10 greediest people in the world please!? 110
Reposted by Matt LentYouth Careers Collective @youthcareers.bsky.social · 01/12/2025✅ Vote! Vote! Vote! ✅ So much hard work was put into the curation of our new film, so it feels so rewarding to be shortlisted for the Smiley Charity Film Awards. Please vote and share with your networks! Vote here‼️- smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/about-...smileycharityfilmawards.comAbout Youth Careers CollectiveThe Smiley Charity Film Awards is the world’s biggest campaign to promote cause-based films. Nearly half a million members of the public have voted in the… 002
Reposted by Matt LentBest for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 10/11/2025SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten. "I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA 7541031312
Reposted by Matt LentJessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 10/11/2025Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways? 13955541644
Reposted by Matt LentThe Guardian @theguardian.com · 02/11/2025A million young people aren’t in a job or training. Britain has a problem | Richard Partingtontheguardian.comA million young people aren’t in a job or training. Britain has a problem | Richard PartingtonWith the jobless rate now at 4.8%, ministers are urged to do more, especially for those with disabilities or health conditions 137218
Reposted by Matt LentYouth Careers Collective @youthcareers.bsky.social · 31/10/2025We can finally share our new film, kindly funded by helpfilm and beautifully curated by Orlando Del Maestro. Check it out below: www.youtube.com/watch?si=jsX...youtube.comAbout Youth Careers CollectiveYouTube video by Youth Careers Collective 101
Reposted by Matt LentYouth Careers Collective @youthcareers.bsky.social · 31/10/2025The big day is finally here! 👏 101
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 22/10/2025So it’s ok for these numpties to migrate to another country because of political differences, but not for others to migrate to another country to flee war, persecution, environmental disaster or severe economic hardship. 020
Reposted by Matt LentThe News Agents @thenewsagents.co.uk · 18/10/2025"Trump has ordered a crackdown on Antifa, as if Antifa were an actual organisation with a head, phone number, or a committee. "MAGA is associating people who protest with a radicalised terrorist network that they have created in their own imagination" www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/maga...thenewsagents.co.ukMAGA’s war on Antifa: ‘A terror network they have created in their own imagination’ | The News AgentsHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has warned of Antifa-backed ‘hate America’ marches taking place this weekend, but is it just protests arranged by pensioners furious at Donald Trump’s administration? 99629
Reposted by Matt LentSam Wilson @samwilson.bsky.social · 15/10/2025For those who don’t work in youth work, it’s hard to describe how bleak it is out there. We just pulled the rug on a generation of young people and are now shrugging our shoulders and hoping social media is the cause of all ills because then it feels less of our fault 13513
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 16/10/2025Watched the debate and fully agree. Our current drug laws are archaic and unworkable, but use of the word ‘legalise’ will dismay many with little understanding of the issues. Suggest going with ‘decriminalise’ which is much harder to argue against. 120
Reposted by Matt LentOlly Benson @ollybenson.uk · 12/10/2025"More than half of the young people involved said they would like to reduce screen time, but 46% felt “unable” to. And then came the kicker: “93% of young people who have attended a youth centre say it has made a positive difference to their lives.”"theguardian.comBritain's youth clubs have been quietly decimated. What's most revealing is that few seem to care | John HarrisThese vital spaces have been the first targets of cuts in a nation that favours age over youth – despite being the remedy for blights such as social division, polarisation and loneliness, says Guardia... 13517
Reposted by Matt LentThe Dangerous Ones @thedangerousones.com · 04/10/2025This. Is. Brilliant. 5433152169
Reposted by Matt LentDan Fox @d4nf0x.bsky.social · 03/10/2025Wednesday, before Yom Kippur came in, I took three friends from my local Jewish community around the Houses of Parliament. / 102
Reposted by Matt LentYouth Careers Collective @youthcareers.bsky.social · 29/09/2025The wait is finally over. For the past 6 months we’ve been working hard behind the scenes on an exciting and important change, and we are now very proud to let you know that from November this year, Spark! will become Youth Careers Collective. 101
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 28/09/2025media.tenor.coma man wearing sunglasses and a varsity jacket with the letter b on it .ALT: a man wearing sunglasses and a varsity jacket with the letter b on it . 020
Reposted by Matt LentZack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 26/09/2025“Let’s call it for what it is: bullshit. The truth is, politicians have talked about little else but immigration for decades and in the most dehumanising ways. Polanski added: “Stop the boats’ is all we hear. Well, today I'm saying ‘stop the bullshit’.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...independent.co.ukUK faces ‘battle for the soul’ of the country, says Starmer amid Reform threatIn a rallying cry to progressives around the world, the Prime Minister said allies must stop the ‘politics of predatory grievance’. 882797836
Reposted by Matt LentAnthony Painter @anthonypainter.bsky.social · 20/09/20251243 youth centres have closed since 2010. 42 percent of local authorities have no council-run youth centres in their area. I wonder why so many young people feel disconnected. (From harpercollins.co.uk/products/how...)harpercollins.co.ukHow to Defeat the Far Right: Lessons From Hope Not Hate‘A brilliant and challenging book’ GORDON BROWN From the founder of Britain’s leading antifascist organisation, HOPE not hate, this is an urgent call to resist the forces of extremism on the march in ... 43616
Reposted by Matt LentJonathan Freedland @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social · 19/09/2025'Farage's core claim is that he somehow speaks for the British people, that his views reflect the “commonsense” views of the silent majority. It’s not true. On issue after issue, including those that define him, he is out of step with most Britons.' Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comTrump has dragged the US to the abyss and Nigel Farage would do the same to Britain. Here’s how to stop him | Jonathan FreedlandIt’s not too late to puncture the Reform leader’s populist myth. His ‘make Britain great again’ act is out of step with the British people, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland 1018685
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 18/09/2025There is no organisation called Antifa, at best it’s a loose affiliation of activists, with some vague common values and goals, i.e. being anti-fascist. What this made up classification as a terrorist organisation means is, they can lock up/disappear whoever they want by just calling them #Antifa. 000
Reposted by Matt LentYouth Careers Collective @youthcareers.bsky.social · 16/09/2025Our CEO, @mattlent.bsky.social and our Head of Impact, Jay St.John Levy, were pleased to be at the launch of the #YouthCensus2025 this afternoon, hosted by Youth Employment UK. An important annual census into the experience of young people across the country. 001
Reposted by Matt LentZack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 14/09/2025We all need to be having these conversations. 631471518
Reposted by Matt LentThird Sector @thirdsector.co.uk · 10/09/2025"I’ve grown increasingly frustrated making the case for why investment in communities – and building trust within them – is essential to solving political, social, environmental and economic challenges" @helengou.bsky.social @theyoungfdn.bsky.socialthirdsector.co.ukHelen Goulden: Our institutions need to work together differently to achieve better social outcomesBut as I leave the sector after 17 years, the prospect of meaningful action to accompany government rhetoric feels intangible 032
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Congratulations @damedianajohnson.bsky.social for being appointed to Minister of State at the Department Work and Pensions. The whole team @sparkcharity.bsky.social look forward to working with you to constructively address the youth unemployment crisis. 000
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 05/09/2025I’ve always been astounded by the apparent randomness of reshuffles and cabinet appointment. MPs confidently taking on hugely complex remits with massive multi-disciplinary teams, and no relevant experience or subject expertise. I mean Liz Kendall studied History, 030
Reposted by Matt LentThe Young Foundation @theyoungfdn.bsky.social · 26/08/2025EVENT📢| Supporting Young People Away from Violence Hear from the #PeerActionCollective as they share key research insights on how to address the root causes of violence affecting young people today. 📅 Wed 24 Sept | 4:15–5:30pm 👉 Register: bit.ly/47SGO0ybit.lySupporting young people away from violence | The Young FoundationAt this exclusive showcase, the Peer Action Collective (PAC) will unveil key research findings. Join us to explore the systems and support young people need to stay safe from involvement in violence. 101
Reposted by Matt LentThe Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 12/06/2025Gov. Pritzker: “It's wrong to deploy the National Guard and active duty Marines into an American city over the objection of local law enforcement, just to inflame a situation and create a crisis.” 231119203388
Reposted by Matt LentAdrian Bethune @adrianbethune.bsky.social · 08/06/2025🧵 One of the biggest myths in education since I started teaching in 2010 is this: The knowledge-rich curriculum The myth is that knowing more will improve the quality of children's lives. It's built on the lie that knowledge = grades = good job = happiness. It's a lie. 188321
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 02/06/2025With 1 in 8 young people NEET something clearly isn’t working. And the number one barrier young people give for struggling to gain employment - a lack of work experience. 000
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 02/06/2025And yet, many many young people still leave education ill-prepared, without the confidence to speak with strangers, work well with others, manage their time or deal with knock-backs. 100
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 02/06/2025And yet, many many young people still leave education ill-prepared, without the confidence to speak with strangers, work well with others, manage their time or deal with knock-backs. And the number one barrier young people give for struggling to gain employment - a lack of work experience. 100
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 02/06/2025And these skills can’t be learnt through didactic lessons. Experience, reflection & guidance will, integrated throughout the curriculum. 100
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 02/06/2025Are you suggesting there’s no such thing as transferable skills? If I learn how to prioritise, or work well in a team, or confidently communicate in one setting then I’m likely to be able to in another. 100
Matt Lent @mattlent.bsky.social · 02/06/2025Thanks. It’s paywalled, but I read his comments on here. 000