Out of touch Tory ministers spent nearly £160,000 on a 'youth survey' to help the Government get down with the kids.
The research was signed off by ex-Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, just days before being replaced in the job by Liz Truss’s choice, Michelle Donelan.
Rishi Sunak kept Ms Donelan on in the role after taking over as Prime Minister.
The contract, published last month and worth £159,000 to pollsters Kantar, admits the research is designed to fill "gaps in knowledge."
It’s the second youth survey the department has commissioned in two years.
Ms Dorries rubber stamped a previous review of youth services in February 2021 - just 18 months ago.
The results of the survey - which found youth clubs and organised activities outside of school were “hugely important” to young people - were published in February (2022).
YMCA research in 2020 found spending on such services had been cut by 70% in real terms since the Tories came to power.
Lib Dem Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP said: "It shouldn't take yet another government survey to tell us what we already know, youth services are in desperate need of more investment.
"Young people in our country are sick of being treated as an afterthought by the Conservatives. They don't need more empty words, they need action."
The previous survey resulted in a £560 million investment plan, including 300 new and refurbished youth facilities in deprived areas.
And Ms Dorries announced the “National Youth Guarantee”, which pledged that by 2025, every young person in England will have access to regular out of school activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer.
DCMS said the current survey would provide a “more comprehensive understanding” young peoples’ experiences of youth services.
Before moving into politics, Ms Donelan worked in entertainment - working first in magazine journalism in Australia, and later for the History Channel and World Wrestling Entertainment.
She gave her first speech to the Conservative Party Conference in 1999 - aged 15.
Note: This article previously stated that the survey was signed off under Michelle Donelan. In fact, it was signed off under previous culture secretary Michelle Donelan. We are happy to correct the error.
