A SPECIALISED plan aimed at improving the lives of young people in Greater Manchester was launched yesterday.

The Children and Young People’s Plan contained commitments to offer the skills, opportunities and aspirations necessary to negotiate early childhood, education and initial employment

Jon Rouse, chief officer at the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “It is a stark fact that Greater Manchester is one of the hardest places in the country to grow up.

“We owe it to young people across the city-region to change that. No-one’s aspirations, or potential, should be stifled simply because of their background or where they live.

“Tackling such entrenched problems is ambitious, but all of us across the city-region must work together to affect real change."

He went on to say that, while the deal represents progress around issues such as mental health and school readiness, the region still has more to do to improve the lives of young people through education and safeguarding.