The UK Youth Parliament was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for young people, including those from marginalised communities, to influence the parliamentary process.
Young people vote Anti-Hate Crime and Discrimination Education as UK Youth Parliament’s priority campaign
Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) from across the country came together at the UKYP Annual Conference to decide on a priority campaign for their term ahead. MYPs voted to make Anti-Hate Crime and Discrimination Education the priority campaign, and will now take this issue forward as part of their work representing young people, including debating it in the House of Commons.
Ahead of the conference, young people from the UK, not just MYPs, voted on the issues they wanted the 2025-26 UK Youth Parliament to focus on. Their votes helped shape the shortlist of topics debated at the conference, ensuring the final decision reflected the priorities and experiences of young people nationwide.
While deciding on a campaign priority was a key moment of the event, the Annual Conference also provided MYPs with opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Throughout the conference, MYPs took part in a programme of workshops and training sessions focused on effective campaigning, leadership and advocacy. Sessions covered topics including media safety, storytelling, wellbeing, campaign creation, restorative practice, communication skills and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Delegates also heard from TEDx Speaker and young person Savannah Hanson who challenged and inspired young people to think about their role as changemakers and the impact they can have in driving positive social change by delivering a talk on why being right is overrated and practical ways to stay connected, even when we disagree.
By combining democratic decision-making with practical skills development, the Annual Conference equipped Members of Youth Parliament with the tools, confidence and connections needed to campaign effectively on the issues that matter most to young people.
About UK Youth Parliament
Established 25 years ago, the UK Youth Parliament is made up of more than 300 young people aged between 11 and 18 years, elected as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) to represent the views of their peers. It provides opportunities for young people to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning.
Young people vote for their MYPs in elections every two years, which are held in over 70% of constituencies, and often in schools.
Funded through a grant from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the UK Youth Parliament brings young people into the policymaking and parliamentary process, with direct access to decision makers.
The NYA was selected to run UK Youth Parliament through 2024-5, in May 2024, following the closure of the British Youth Council in March 2024. It works with the delivery partners, the Regional Youth Work Units in England, the Scottish Youth Parliament, Children in Wales, and consultants in Northern Ireland to provide the necessary structures and support for the MYPs to carry out their elected duties.
A Youth Steering Group oversees and advises on the UK Youth Parliament.
Key activities for the UK Youth Parliament include participating in regional roundtable events and undertaking a national ballot of UK-wide youth views, Make Your Mark.
The MYPs also campaign locally, regionally and nationally throughout the year and deliver sessions with schools and in the community to engage young people with the democratic process.
”“Young people are already underrepresented in a body of elected representatives who make plans for OUR future. Hence, the UKYP gives us the opportunity to educate, discuss and debate topics of importance to young people across the UK. It has also given me the liberty to represent my young constituents in Parliament, signifying the importance of representation and the protection of our futures.”
Ruth Mobenge MYPMember of Youth Parliament for Enfield 2023-Present
UKYP Manifesto 2024 – 2026
The UK Youth Parliament Manifesto for the 2024-26 term, Shaping Our Future, Today Not Tomorrow, acts as a reference for how the UKYP want to shape the world and reflects the shared hopes and concerns of an entire generation that is ready to step forward and take on upcoming challenges.
The Manifesto was developed over a number of months from an initial 295 policy submissions and shaped at the UKYP Annual Conference (26 October 2024) culminating in this rallying cry, made up of an agreed 110 policies, for everyone to work together to build a future that reflects the values of justice, fairness, and opportunity.
Two of those policy areas will become the 2025 priority campaigns and the UK Youth Parliament will continue to use the 110 policies published in the Manifesto to advocate for further change.
The UKYP believe that the issues raised within the Manifesto – from votes at 16, the minimum wage, public transport, education and period dignity amongst many others – represent the views of young people across the UK.
The UKYP have been campaigning for Votes at 16 for over 20 years, so the introduction of the Representation of the People Bill is monumental, and it will be a powerful moment for youth engagement in democracy if it is passed. Read more here for further information about the Votes at 16 Committee and their work.
”This manifesto must serve as both a challenge and an invitation. To all those in positions of power, it is our call for you to listen, to act, and to make youth voices central to the decisions that shape our world. To all the young people who have contributed their ideas, their energy, and their dreams: this is your moment. Let this manifesto ignite the change we so desperately need."
Manifesto CommitteeUK Youth Parliament
Shaping Our Future, Today Not Tomorrow
Click below to download the full UKYP manifesto 2024-2026.
Youth Select Committee
The Youth Select Committee of 12 UKYP members recently set the terms of their first inquiry into social media and violence.
Guidance Documents
Members of the Youth Parliament are required to adhere to the rules and procedures governing the UK Youth Parliament, including:
- Your Guide to Being an MYP, which outlines the key requirements of the Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) role.
- UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) Roles, Responsibilities and Delivery Structure Guide, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of local delivery teams, delivery partners and the National Youth Agency.
- Steering Group (SG) Role Guide, which applies to the elected young people who volunteer to help shape and guide the work of UKYP.
Contact
Thank you for your interest in UK Youth Parliament (UKYP).
As local authorities have now completed their elections for this term (April 2026 to March 2027), opportunities to become a Member of Youth Parliament are no longer available at this time.
As UKYP elections and participation are organised locally, the National Youth Agency does not hold specific information on individual election timelines or processes. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we would strongly encourage you to contact your local authority youth services team or Regional Youth Work Unit directly.
They will be best placed to:
- Let you know whether elections have already taken place in your area
- Advise on when the next elections are likely to run
- Share other youth voice or participation opportunities currently available
Even if elections have already taken place, there are often other ways to get involved in youth participation locally, and your local team will be able to guide you on the options open to you. We hope this helps and encourages you to take the next step in getting involved.
For general information on UKYP, please contact UKYP@nya.org.uk
For media and communications enquiries regarding UKYP, please contact ukypcomms@nya.org.uk
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