UK Youth Parliament has chosen to focus on the cost of living and health. The new campaign has been declared following the UK Youth Parliament’s debate in the House of Commons chamber on Friday 4th November 2022. Mental health and wellbeing was announced as the biggest issue for young people in the UK.
The sessions were chaired by Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Dame Rosie Winterton MP. Passionate speeches and eloquent arguments were made on the most important issues affecting young people. During the debates, UK Youth Parliament focused on health-related issues as diverse as the cost of living crisis and the ongoing effects of climate change.
Dev Sharma, Member of Youth Parliament for Winchester, said “The cost of living crisis remains at the top of young people’s minds, and it’s clear that this will continue to have an impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
“Members of Youth Parliament took these issues to the heart of our democracy, Parliament, and it is now for decision makers to ensure action is taken to address these issues. Our campaign will seek to ensure young people are not forgotten in this conversation”
In a letter to the UK Youth Parliament, Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister said: “I know that the cost of living and climate change will be high on your agenda. You can rest assured that these issues will be very much at the front of my mind this weekend.”
Youth representatives from the UK Overseas Territories also addressed the UK Youth Parliament about ‘the most important issue affecting young people from their territories.
Members of Youth Parliament were joined by Paul Scully MP, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Leader of the House of the Commons and John Nicolson MP, SNP Spokersperson for the DCMS, who will all speak from the despatch box in recognition of the UK Youth Parliament being the only external group allowed to hold debates in the House of Commons Chamber.
You can watch the morning session and afternoon session on UK Parliament’s YouTube channel.
Members of Youth Parliament are set to formally launch the campaigns in the coming months. UK Youth Parliament have started to develop campaign actions for the campaigns ahead.
