Press releases to journalists.
The Youth Select Committee is conducting an inquiry into Body Image and the impact it has on the wellbeing of children and young people. This topical issue was chosen by the Youth Select Committee after almost one million young people voted it as one of the top ten issues in the UK Youth Parliament’s ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot in 2016.
Following its call for written evidence on the topic of Body Image, the Committee heard evidence from experts including bloggers, social media companies and academics on Friday 7 July. On Friday 14 July the Committee will hear further evidence from teachers, mental health professionals, young people and government officials, inside a Committee Room at the Houses of Parliament which is usually used by MPs.
Just like UK Parliament Select Committees, the Youth Select Committee will produce a report based on its findings, which will be sent to the Government for comment. The eleven committee members are aged 13-18 and include Members of the Youth Parliament, Youth Councillors, a Youth Mayor and representatives from each of the devolved nations.
Thomas Copeland, 18, Chair of the Youth Select Committee said: “This year the Youth Select Committee will be examining Body Image. Body Image has become an issue of considerable concern for young people, so it is crucial that they are given a voice on this important subject. We are really looking forward to hearing what young people and professionals highlight as the key areas of potential policy improvement throughout the inquiry.”
Friday 14 July – Grimond Room, Portcullis House
10.30am
Panel 1: Mental health and education professionals
– Liz Ritchie, Body Image therapist and psychotherapist
– Rosamund McNeil, Head of Education and Equality Policy, National Union of Teachers
– Natasha Devon MBE, Founder, Self-Esteem Team
11.30am
Panel 2: Young people
– Cameron Wood, Project Leader, Young Person’s Network, Herefordshire
– Susie Williams, NHS Youth Forum
– Kirstie Stage, Member of the UK Youth Parliament for West Wiltshire
1.30pm
Panel 3: Government officials
– Emily Antcliffe, Deputy Director for Mental Health, Department of Health
– Tara Kaufmann, Head of Women’s Engagement and Gender Representation in the Government Equalities Office
The evidence sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Entry is via Portcullis House and it is advisable to allow 30 minutes to pass through security checks.
The Committee’s first oral evidence session received coverage from BBC News, ITV New and Channel 5 News. You can see some of the coverage below:
Body confidence expert says 30-70% of young people have low bo…
Body appearance professor warns that images posted online are cultivated saying even our friends might take 10 photos before selecting it, then editing it with filters and this causes body confidence issues that is not real life.
Posted by Channel 5 News on Friday, July 7, 2017
Youth Select Committee: How society views skin colour
The Youth Select Committee has grilled bloggers about body image following a noticeable increase in body confidence issues in the UK.This blogger speaks about the way in which skin colour is perceived.
Posted by ITV News on Friday, July 7, 2017
Last year the Youth Select Committee conducted an inquiry focusing on the topic of Racism and Racial Discrimination. The 2016 Committee took evidence over 4 oral evidence sessions and received written submissions from 67 contributors. Witnesses included teachers, young people, charities, academics, service providers and the Mayor of Bristol. Read last year’s Committee report, which contains a variety of recommendations for Government, and the Government’s response, which offers an answer to each of the Youth Select Committee’s recommendations.
Find out more about the Youth Select Committee
The Government have announced a new pledge to ensure every secondary school in the country will be offering Mental Health First Aid training by 2020. The British Youth Council welcome the Government’s announcement, which follows the Youth Select Committee’s recommendation for mandatory training for teachers on young people’s mental health.
The British Youth Council’s Youth Select Committee published its report in November 2015, following an inquiry which gathered evidence from a range of witnesses, including charities, young people, academics, Ministers and health and education professionals. The Committee offered recommendations across three key areas: funding and the state of services, a role for education and awareness, stigma and digital culture.
The Committee were very clear the training should focus on how to respond to a young person who asks about mental health, how to spot problems and where to refer young people when they become concerned.
Jake Pitt, Vice Chair – Campaigns and Communications, British Youth Council said: “This is great news for students across the country! It’s absolutely paramount school teachers are equipped with the correct training to support the mental health and wellbeing of their students.”
Although the Government have taken on a number of the Youth Select Committee’s recommendations the British Youth Council will continue to ensure the Government prioritise young people’s health. The Youth Select Committee investigate a different issue each year and this year they’re examining body image and its effects on young people.
Read the Youth Select Committee’s Report ‘Young People’s Mental Health’
Research carried out by the British Youth Council’s UK Young Ambassadors has concluded that young people are ‘worried’ and ‘uncertain’ about the future because of Brexit. The new report, which launched on Monday 10th July 2017, also concludes that 50% of young people felt the world was changing for the worst, with only 35% feeling it was changing for the better.
Young people were also very concerned about the platform the EU referendum result created for hate, racism and discrimination. The campaigning tactics used in the lead up to the referendum were condemned by young people who felt the referenda targeted immigrants living and working in the UK and were keen to emphasise the positives of migration and freedom of movement.
The youth-led consultation was carried out by the UK Young Ambassadors a group of young people aged 18-25 tasked representing the UK globally. The findings of the report have been presented to the Government and the British Youth Council intends to ensure young people have a meaningful opportunity to influence Brexit negotiations.
Anna Barker, Chair, British Youth Council said: “It is quite clear that young people continue to feel worried and uncertain about the future of our country following the EU Referendum results. The Government must ensure young people are centre stage of the Brexit negotiations going forward – so young people feel they have a real stake in their future!”
Read the UK Young Ambassador’s Report
The British Youth Council are excited to welcome the new minister responsible for youth policy, Tracey Crouch MP. Crouch is taking over the Office for Civil Society following the departure of Rob Wilson who has been in charge of the brief since 2014.
The British Youth Council have worked under various Government departments since 2011 to deliver it’s Youth Voice programme. The Youth Voice programme, which is currently supported by Department for Culture, Media and Sport, includes UK Youth Parliament and Youth Select Committee.
The British Youth Council will be writing to welcome the Minister to the new role, however, will be highlighting concerns for the size of the brief which will include other responsibilities. It is our longstanding belief, that the Government should appoint a Minister solely responsible for young people – a role which has not existed since 2010.
Ife Grillo, Vice Chair – Participation and Development, British Youth Council said: “We can’t wait to continue our work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport but we are particularly concerned about the size of Tracey Crouch’s brief and we’ll be seeking out reassurances at the earliest opportunity! We have repeatedly made it clear we believe a Minister for Youth should be appointed and we’ll be using this opportunity to highlight that issue again.”
We will also use this opportunity to remind the Government of the six issues we highlighted in the lead-up to the General Election which included the underfunding of youth services and the ensuring young people have a meaningful opportunity to influence Brexit negotiations which are due to start next week.
Anna Barker, Chair, British Youth Council said: “We look forward to working with Tracey Crouch going forward, to ensure young people’s voices continued to be heard by the Government. With the reported increase in young people turning up to cast their votes, it’s absolutely imperative that young people are given a chance to influence Government policy going forward!”
The British Youth Council is partnering with ‘LifeSkills created with Barclays’ for the next 12 months to help young people build skills for work. Today’s job landscape is getting really competitive for young people and employers are increasingly looking for a rich variety of experiences and skills in new recruits in addition to qualifications.
LifeSkills and the British Youth Council have co-created new resources for educators and young people on how to get involved in social action and to recognise how the skills build through this activity can be linked to employability and help to enhance young peoples’ job prospects.
Taking part in social action is a fantastic way for young people to build transferable skills that will help them stand out to employers, with recent research showing that participants of social action are 27% more likely to find a job. Importantly, social action will also help those young people develop as individuals while giving back to their community and society.
Anna Barker, Chair, British Youth Council said: “We know that now more than ever, young people need the correct skills to unlock opportunities for employment in such a competitive market”
The British Youth Council continue to be strong advocates for equipping young people with these skills to empower them to take charge of their future – so we’re excited to be working with LifeSkills on this programme.”
The motivation behind the LifeSkills programme is to inspire millions of young people and equip them with the key skills to move forward into the 21st century workplace. LifeSkills brings together educators, businesses, young people and parents to achieve this, as increasingly young people need to leave education not only with appropriate academic results but with the skills that we know businesses need now and in the future as technology reshapes our working world.
Find out more information
The British Youth Council are delighted to hear reports of a high youth turnout in the General Election. Politicians must drop their excuses and address young people’s concerns during this Parliament.
Decision makers across the country have repeatedly told young people that their voices will continue to be less of a priority until they turnout in elections. Now that young people have turned up, Members of Parliament must not only acknowledge young people but actively include them in the democratic process.
The British Youth Council wrote to political parties ahead of the General Election requesting their firm commitments to the six priorities set out in our General Election Manifesto. Young people want better mental health provision for young people, the introduction of a real living wage for everyone, the restoration of funding for youth services and an opportunity to influence Brexit negotiations.
Anna Barker, Chair, British Youth Council said: “Politicians have repeatedly told us our issues will become a priority when young people turnout. Young people have now sent a clear message! Members of Parliament must now address the core issues of young people!”
We’ve been warning politicians that they must use our vote or loose and this election may just serve as a share wake up call!”
The British Youth Council will be working hard to lobby Parliament and the Government – ensuring that young people’s issues remain a priority. Going forward the British Youth Council will be writing to the Prime Minister and the newly appointed Minister responsible for youth policy to ensure young people can influence policy at the highest levels of the Government.
Jake Pitt, Vice Chair – Campaigns and Communications, British Youth Council said: “It is now important that we continue to work closely with Government departments to address the key issues and ensure young people have a meaningful opportunity to influence our exit from the European Union. The election is just the beginning of the cycle, now we need to hold politicians to account!”
Political parties have responded to the British Youth Council’s vision for a better country. The manifesto ‘Our Vision, Our Parliament’, which was published last week, outlines the key issues young people across the UK are demanding answers on.
The publication of the manifesto forms part of the British Youth Council’s attempts to get political parties to make firm commitments to young people. Within the manifesto we call on the next Government to address the issues that matter to young people. Young people want better mental health provision for young people and among other issues want an opportunity to influence Brexit negotiations.
The responses we have received have been published to support young people who may be undecided or unaware of each party’s position. Some political parties had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. In those cases, we have sourced information from their 2017 General Election manifesto.
The British Youth Council is launching ‘Our Vision, Our Parliament’, a manifesto which outlines our vision for the next Parliament. The manifesto sets out the six priorities that we want the next government to address the issues of young people including better mental health provision for young people and an opportunity for young people to influence Brexit negotiations.
Young people want the voting age to be lowered to 16, mental health services for young people to be improved, the introduction of a real living wage for everyone, the restoration of funding for youth services, first aid taught in schools and the opportunity to actively participate and meaningfully engage in the Brexit negotiations.
The British Youth Council has written to 17 political parties – including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, SNP and Labour. Each party has been asked to respond with their thoughts on our top six issues. All responses will be published ahead of polling day on June 8th.
The manifesto forms part of our wider General Election campaign calling on politicians to not just talk about young people but to listen to their concerns and do something about them. Following the General Election, the British Youth Council will be lobbying the Government and calling on politicians to keep their promises to young people.
Anna Barker, Chair, British Youth Council said: “It’s imperative that candidates across the country listen to the issues that young people are passionate about and tell young people what they plan to do about their priorities. I’m really looking forward to hearing back from each political party so we can share their responses with young people.”
The British Youth Council’s Youth Select Committee today (Friday 19th May 2017) announces a new inquiry into body image. The Committee is calling for evidence from a wide range of witnesses, including organisations and interested parties, as well as young people who have been affected by body image issues.
The Youth Select Committee, now in its sixth year, is a British Youth Council initiative supported by the House of Commons. The eleven committee members are aged 14-18 and include Members of the Youth Parliament, Youth Councillors, a Youth Mayor and representatives from each of the devolved nations. Body image was one of the top ten issues voted for by almost one million young people in UK Youth Parliament’s Make Your Mark ballot in 2016.
The committee will look at issues including:
- Has the growing use of social media and communications platforms amongst young people encouraged practices and attitudes that entrench poor body image? What is the link between “sexting” and body dissatisfaction?
- Do internet companies, social media platforms or other platforms have a responsibility to tackle trends which entrench poor body image? What are they already doing in this area? What more should they be doing?
- Are particular groups of young people particularly prone to poor body image, or less likely to seek help? What causes these trends?
- In relation to young men and boys, minority ethnic groups, and those who self-identify as transgender: what are the specific challenges facing young people in these groups? How effective is existing support?
- To what extent is dissatisfaction with body image contributing to the increase in mental health problems amongst children and young people?
Thomas Copeland, 18, Chair of the Youth Select Committee said: “This year the Youth Select Committee will be examining Body Image. Body Image has become an issue of considerable concern for young people, so it is crucial that they are given a voice on this important subject. We are really looking forward to hearing what young people and professionals highlight as the key areas of potential policy improvement throughout the inquiry.”
The Committee’s call for evidence closes on 16th June 2017 and the Youth Select Committee will hold oral evidence sessions in the House of Commons on 7th and 14th July 2017.
-ENDS-
For media enquiries or to interview a member of the committee please contact:
Rhammel Afflick, Communications & Media Officer
rhammel.afflick@byc.org.uk | +44 (0)20 7250 8376 | +44 (0)79 32 505 214
For inquiry related queries please contact:
bycyouthselect@parliament.uk
Notes to Editors
- The British Youth Councilis the National Youth Council of the UK. A youth-led charity, we empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives. We support young people to get involved in their communities and democracy locally, nationally and internationally, making a difference as volunteers, campaigners, decision-makers and leaders.
- Committee Membership is as follows: Jade-Yasmin Sides, 17, Member of Youth Parliament for Wrexham; Alizeh Abdul Rahman, 18, Member of Youth Parliament for Plymouth; Thomas Copeland, 18, Belfast; Michael Bryan, 15, Bournemouth; Samuel Pidgeon, 17, Kettering; Rebecca Moore, 17, Other Youth Reps seat, North Shields; Alex Robertson, 18, Dumbarton; Zacchaeus Richard Hayward, 14, Rhos-on-Sea; Oscar Daniel, 13, Young Mayor for Whitley Bay; Aisha Malik-Smith, 17, Welling; Emma Curran, 18, Wolverhampton
- Media spokespeople are available on request. To organise interviews please email press@byc.org.uk
- The British Youth Council can be found on Twitter @bycLIVE, and the UK Parliament outreach service can be found on @YourUKParl
- For inquiry-related questions please contact the inquiry team on bycyouthselect@parliament.uk
- Professional images of the 2017 Youth Select Committee, including individual portraits and a group shot are available to download here.
- Written evidence should be submitted via email to bycyouthselect@parliament.uk or via post to Youth Select Committee, c/o Nehal Bradley-Depani, Clerk of the Youth Select Committee, 2nd Floor, 14 Tothill Street, SW1H 9NB. Evidence that is submitted will be published on the British Youth Council website. However, the British Youth Council do reserve the right redact evidence partially or in full should it contain information we consider to be libel. If you do not wish your name to be published then please indicate this when you submit your evidence. You will still need to provide your name and contact details as the Committee will not accept anonymous evidence but that information will not be shared online. Material already published elsewhere should not form the basis of a submission but may be referred to in the response. The Committee will not investigate or publish any individual cases of complaint/allegations.
- Further information about how to submit evidence is available at: byc.org.uk/youthselect
The Government have confirmed they have no plans to introduce a lowering voting age of 16 for the General Election which will take place on Thursday 8th June 2017. The British Youth Council are disappointed to learn that yet again 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be denied a vote.
In response to a petition calling for the voting age to be lowered, the Government states ‘the House of Commons has debated the question of lowering the voting age in a number of contexts, and has repeatedly voted against lowering it.’ Regrettably, 16 and 17-year-olds will not just miss out on the snap election, but will also miss out on the May elections which will see the election of six newly-created combined authority mayors.
Since the Scottish Independence Referendum, in which 16 and 17-year-olds were given a vote, young people have been turned away from casting their vote on eight separate occasions, without including the numerous by-elections. In 2014, 75% of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland voted in the independence referendum, a vote that set a precedent and should serve as proof that when young people feel they have an authentic opportunity to influence change they will take part.
Over the past 14 years, the Votes at 16 Coalition have been tracking support for a lower voting age. Their research indicates all Members of Scottish Parliament in unanimous support, huge increases in support within the House of Lords and over 40% of Members of Parliament declaring their support for votes at 16. We’re hoping the common sense argument will prevail – alongside a ‘curriculum for life’ with citizenship/political education and easy voter registration, votes at 16 is not only good for the future of democracy but a necessary change.
Anna Barker, Chair of the British Youth Council said: “It’s disappointing that 16 and 17-year-olds will be denied a chance to vote in one of the most important elections of our lifetime. A precedent was set following the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014, and yet eight elections later 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK still haven’t been entrusted with the vote.
“It is extremely regrettable that the common sense argument has not prevailed. When young people feel they have an authentic opportunity to influence change they will take part.”