Letters, contributions and comments sent in to the Advertiser this week.

We need to support youth

Jean Lambert, London Green MEP, writes:

To understand the crippling impact of the government’s austerity measures, look no further than London’s youth services.

Since 2011, councils have been forced to cut their youth services budgets by 44 per cent. More than 81 youth clubs have shut their doors, and 800 full-time youth work jobs have been axed, according to new research by Green Party London assembly member Sian Berry.

Now another factor looks set to escalate this crisis: Brexit. My report ‘Losing it over Brexit’ finds that London is on course to lose more than £500m in EU funding every year. A significant chunk of this money is currently invested in projects that help disadvantaged young people to develop the skills they need to contribute to society and enter the workforce.

Who will step in to fill this massive funding gap? The Conservative government has, until now, systematically failed the UK’s young people.

London’s young people voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, but have the most to lose from Brexit.

The government must guarantee that these EU funds will be replaced, or risk further alienating a generation of Londoners.

Battlefields return for war veterans

Charles Byrne, director general, Royal British Legion, writes:

It’s The Royal British Legion’s belief that every World War II veteran should have the chance to revisit the battlefield on which they served.

Thanks to new funding from HM Treasury, we are now able to offer a fully funded trip to anyone who served in our Armed Forces during World War II.

However, as there is no unified record of World War II veterans that are alive today, I am reaching out to you and your readers in the hope that you can help us spread the word.

The trips will take place between spring and autumn this year and a family member and a carer will also be able to go along and share this pilgrimage of Remembrance with them.

Organised by Remembrance Travel, part of The Royal British Legion, the trip will give the World War IIveterans - now mostly in their 90s - a chance to meet up with fellow ex-service men and women, and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.

Veterans who may be interested in this opportunity need to apply through our tour operator, Arena Travel on 01473 660800, or visit: arenatravel.com/journeysofremembrance.