The British Youth Council is delighted to welcome the continued funding of UK Youth Parliament and the charity’s youth voice activities which amplify young people’s efforts to bring about social change. The partnership between the charity and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport forms part of the UK Government’s renewed efforts for ensuring young people have a say on the issues that affect them.
As part of the two-year programme, the British Youth Council will also take young people’s views to the heart of decision-making in government, building on the pilot delivered by the organisation from 2019. The pilot saw young people involved in policy development across the government alongside new innovative ways to engage and consult young people digitally.
This year will also see the return of the Youth Select Committee which offers scrutiny to the government on some of the biggest issues facing young people. The committee, supported by UK Parliament, has investigated racism and religious discrimination, the knife crime epidemic and the effects of body image on young people.
“This is a great opportunity for the British Youth Council to continue equipping young people with the skills and opportunities to influence the change we wish to see in society,” Zara Khan, Chair of the British Youth Council said.
“Young people are passionate about the issues they face alongside their peers and their wider communities. The continuation of our funding to UK Youth Parliament and our wider youth voice activities is an important signal to young people that their voices matter.”
Commenting on the new funding, Jo Hobbs MBE, Chief Executive of the British Youth Council said: “We are delighted to be continuing our work with DCMS and UK Parliament on the delivery of the UK Youth Parliament programme.
“We are proud of our history in developing and delivering this work with and for young people across the UK. Young people being heard and engaged at the heart of decision making is crucial to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”
Stuart Andrew MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, and Minister for Equalities, who has responsibility for policy relating to children and young people said: “We’re looking forward to working with the British Youth Council once again to deliver the UK Youth Parliament. Youth Parliament is an incredible platform which enables young people to have their voices heard to represent the views of young people across the country.
“We value young people’s contribution to decision-making at the highest levels and understand this leads to impactful policy locally, regionally and nationally. This government remains committed to supporting meaningful youth engagement via this grant.”
Commenting on the return of the Youth Select Committee, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “There is no better way of getting young people engaged in politics than asking them to debate the issues that affect them – which is why the Youth Select Committee is so important.
“From tackling knife crime to encouraging body confidence, from accessing quality work experience to tackling racism and religious discrimination, the committee has already proved itself fearless in raising controversial, yet hot topics and bringing them to the attention of those in power.
“I am sure this year’s committee will be no less determined – and I look forward to hearing what’s on the minds of this year’s members, and how they go about eliciting a response from the Government.”