British Youth Council

The British Youth Council is sad to announce its permanent closure after more than 75 years of championing the voices of young people. Speaking on behalf of the charity and the Board of Trustees, Zara Khan, Chair of the British Youth Council said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the permanent closure of the British Youth Council as ongoing financial challenges have resulted in insolvency.

Young participants in the UK’s largest youth consultation have stated health and wellbeing is their biggest concern. These results mirror the outcome of the previous Make Your Mark vote in 2022, indicating health and wellbeing remains an issue of prescient concern. The statement follows the British Youth Council’s announcement that the charity will close. Over half a million 11-18 year old’s took part in the ballot, which was launched by UK Youth Parliament in January.

The British Youth Council’s Chief Executive, Jo Hobbs MBE, will leave the charity to move on to a new role in the sector. Jo has led the charity for 8 years, supporting the National Youth Council in its mission to bring young people together to find their voice and use it to improve the lives of others. Responding to the news, Zara Khan, Chair of the British Youth Council said: “It’s with great sadness that we announce, Jo Hobbs will be stepping down as Chief Executive of the charity.

On Wednesday 6th March, the Youth Select Committee launched its report investigating the impact of the cost of living on young people’s health and wellbeing. The Committee has ruled that transformative economic shifts have impacted young people’s emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. The cost of living was investigated following a 2022 UK-wide ballot of over half a million young people aged 11 to 18, in which young people declared health and wellbeing their biggest concern.

Young people across the UK can now participate in Make Your Mark, UK Youth Parliament’s largest youth consultation. The campaign, which will run until the 8th March, will see volunteers and Members of Youth Parliament canvasing for the views of young people within their communities. The ballot, which returns for the first time since 2022, gives 11-18 year old’s the chance to select the issue they think affects them and their peers most.

When people talk about homelessness, they very rarely think about young people. But 1 in 5 of those who are homeless are young people, and this number is only rising. This was the topic for discussion at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs last year. I was there, and here’s what I have to say. Homelessness, especially in the case of young people, isn’t just sleeping on the streets. It’s couch-surfing with mates, being in temporary accommodation, and so much more.

Make Your Mark, the UK’s largest youth vote, launches on 29th January 2024 as part of UK Youth Parliament’s drive to determine the biggest issues. 11-18 year olds in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will have the opportunity to shortlist the topics they feel are of the most pressing concern to young people across the UK, including crime and safety and international relations.

UK Youth Parliament has chosen to focus on finance and funding of free school mealsfor the remainder of its ‘Food for Learning’ campaign. The topic has been declared following the UK Youth Parliament’s twelfth sitting in the House of Commons Chamber on Friday 17th November 2023. The sessions were chaired by Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Dame Rosie Winteron MP.

On Friday 17th November, UK Youth Parliament will debate universal free school meals and food security for young people as part of their campaign, ‘Food for Learning’. More than 200 Members of Youth Parliament from across the UK will participate in the House of Commons debate, which forms part of their proposed solutions to extending free school meals.

The British Youth Council is delighted to welcome new guidance from the government to local authorities on supporting young people in their local areas. The new guidance, which has been issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is set to ensure young people have the services and activities they need in their local area.