UK Youth Parliament

17/06/2026

The UK Government has announced a ban on social media for under 16s, including addressing features such as livestreaming and the limitless scroll.

The National Youth Agency is unequivocal about the safety of young people and appreciate the risks of harm in both online and physical spaces, however we also recognise that social media currently plays a key role in connecting young people around the issues they are passionate about and campaigning activity.

Whilst these measures will not come into force until 2027, we understand that the government's announcement will be the subject of much discussion for our Members of Youth Parliament and the young people they represent. We will be supporting current MYPs to use social media safely and in line with our digital safeguarding policy until the ban comes into force.

The NYA is considering what the restrictions will mean for our youth voice activities but in the meantime our priority is ensuring that young people continue to have the opportunities to participate safely in discussions and decision-making on the issues that affect their lives.

Read the NYA’s full statement here: https://nya.org.uk/nya-response-to-government-announcement-of-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/

03/06/2026

02/06/2026

This , led by The movement , we’re celebrating the incredible impact of Members of Youth Parliament across the UK.

From powerful debates at the Annual Sittings, to leading Youth Select Committee inquiries on teen violence and social media and PSHE education, MYPs are ensuring young people’s voices are heard at UK wide level.

They also lead meaningful action in their local areas, from challenging stigma around mental health and chronic illness, to improving accessibility and supporting young people into work.

Alongside national campaigns like Votes at 16 and period dignity, this work shows the real breadth of youth leadership.

We’re proud of everything this cohort has achieved, and excited to see what comes next.

Learn more about UK Youth Parliament: https://nya.org.uk/ukyp/

Photo credit to: © House of Commons

31/03/2026

Bobby Forbes MYP, Chair of the Youth Select Committee (YSC), met with Julie Minns MP to discuss the Youth Select Committee's work and its latest inquiry into PSHE education across the UK.

Following this, she raised this in the House of Commons, asking:

"Could the Leader of the House please explain to us, as Member of this Parliament, how we could discuss the recommendations of the Youth Select Committee's report?"

The Youth Select Committee brings together young people's and experts evidence and perspectives on issues that matter to them. Its inquires and reports contribute wider policy discussion, including through engagement with parliamentarians and other decision-makers.

Read more about the Youth Select Committee 25/26's work here: https://nya.org.uk/ukyp/youth-select-committee/

30/03/2026

The Youth Select Committee are thrilled to announce that their PSHE Education Report is officially launched!

From Westminster Hall, they're proudly announcing their report into PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education, rooted in findings from young people and experts in the field.

This year's inquiry explored:
How consistently PSHE is taught across schools and nations
Teacher training, confidence, and the support needed to deliver sensitive topics safely and effectively
The crucial role PSHE plays in political education, financial literacy, and preparing young people for adult life

Their key finding was that 70% of young people feel that PSHE lessons fail to prepare them for adult life.

Read the full report: https://nya.org.uk/ukyp/youth-select-committee/

25/03/2026

“From the report, I would like to see more investment in education, especially around life skills in PSHE. A lot of the evidence we heard at the oral evidence sessions, to inform our report, highlights a need for investment in financial education and s*x education. Things that prepare young people for life. Things like mortgages under financial education is not widely covered in schools.” - Bobby Forbes MYP

Yesterday, Youth Select Committee Chair Bobby Forbes visited No.10 Downing Street to hand-deliver the Committee’s new report on PSHE education.

Over recent months, the Committee has gathered evidence from young people, teachers, researchers and specialists through a national survey and oral evidence sessions. This work has highlighted wide variations in how PSHE is delivered, and the experiences young people have of it in schools across the UK.

The Committee is sharing its findings ahead of the Department for Education’s curriculum review scheduled for September 2026, ensuring young people’s voices are represented in the national conversation about PSHE.

The full report will be launched later today in Parliament.

24/03/2026

Youth Select Committee Report Launch at Westminster Tomorrow

After several months of intensive evidence gathering, including written submissions, expert testimony, and conversations with young people from across the UK, the Youth Select Committee will unveil its much-anticipated report on PSHE provision tomorrow at Westminster.

Stay tuned for the full findings and recommendations dropping tomorrow.

13/03/2026

Then vs Now: 2009 and November 2025

Two different cohorts of Members of Youth Parliament, 17 years apart, took their places in the House of Commons chamber during UK Youth Parliament Annual Sittings. The 2009 Sitting was the first time MYPs debated in the House of Commons chamber, and the 2026 Sitting reflects the annual moment where young people brought forward the issues that matter to them.

Across more than two decades, MYPs have repeatedly chosen to prioritise Votes at 16. The Representation of the People Bill now represents a significant step towards recognising young people’s right to be part of the democratic process.

Lowering the voting age must be matched with high‑quality political and citizenship education. UK Youth Parliament is calling on the government to fund teaching resources in schools. You can support this call here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/754954

This is especially relevant during Welcome to Your Vote Week, which highlights the importance of informed political participation for young people.

© House of Commons

08/03/2026

This Sunday, we're celebrating International Women's Day by recognising the incredible women, past and present, who have shaped our democracy.

Some of the UK Youth Parliament's Youth Select Committee 25/26 members recently visited Westminster Hall, where they stood alongside the "Votes for Women" suffragette statue, a reminder of the power of activism and the women who changed history.

Today, we're sharing reflections from Robyn Ballantyne, MYP for Lagan Valley and Youth Select Committee member for Northern Ireland, who appears in the photo.

"This year, on International Women's Day, I think it's important to think about the steps that the women in the generations before us have taken to get where we are today, from the women's suffrage movement, to the women that actively shape democracy today. The impact of these brave women is not lost on me; every time I step foot in the House of Commons, I am reminded of those who paved the way. In Northern Ireland, only 34% of our MPs are women, however 52% of our MYPs are female, and I think that is a really promising prospect for the future of politics, not only in Northern Ireland but in the UK as a whole. I hope that I am lucky enough to see the day where our government has equal representation for women and our stories."

Across the UK, 52.56% of Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) are female, a powerful sign of leadership that young women are taking today. By comparison, 40.46% of MPs in the UK Parliament are women, the highest proportion in its history, highlighting the continued progress being made towards greater representation of women in UK Parliament.

The Youth Select Committee, this year, is examining PSHE education, exploring how it can better support young people's wellbeing, safety, and futures, including the experiences of girls and young women across the UK.

To find out more about UK Youth Parliament visit https://nya.org.uk/ukyp

The National Youth Agency

06/03/2026

This week's Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill marked an important moment in the ongoing national conversation about Votes at 16, a change that UK Youth Parliament has campaigned for over many years.

During the debate, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Vicky Foxcroft MP and James MacCleary MP each highlighted the need to strengthen political and citizenship education, ensuring all young people have the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage in democratic life.

The Minister of Democracy also confirmed plans to reinforce citizenship education as part of future curriculum changes, a significant moment in youth democracy.

For UK Youth Parliament, this moment reflects years of youth-led campaigning, debate and advocacy. UK Youth Parliament are petitioning for the UK Government to fund political and citizenship teaching resources in schools. Sign the petition here: https://nya.org.uk/uk-youth-parliament-are-launching-their-e-petition-on-political-and-citizenship-education/