The UK Youth Parliament was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for young people, including those from marginalised communities, to influence the parliamentary process.
Fund high-quality, non-partisan political and citizenship teaching resources
UK Youth Parliament urges the Government to invest in high-quality, non-partisan lesson resources that any teacher can use. It’s vital students are taught the skills for informed and active participation in society, but too often teachers don’t have the support, leaving students without consistency.
Sign the petition here.
On 12 February 2026 government announced that legislation was being brought forward enabling 16- and 17-year-olds to have the right to vote in UK wide general elections marking a significant and progressive milestone for youth voice and participation in the democratic process.
Read more about the Representation of the People Bill here.
2025 campaigns selected in UK Youth Parliament’s annual parliament sitting
On Friday 28 February more than 300 elected Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) aged 11-18 represented the views of their peers and held debates on a range of topics before holding votes on the direction of their 2025 campaigns.
Debated motions included:
- 16- and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in all elections and referendums, accompanied with more political education throughout school.
- That the National Minimum Wage for every worker under 22 be raised, to match the National Living Wage for those over 22.
- All public transport should be free for young people.
- All young people in the UK must have access to a standardised level of political literacy and democratic education to improve engagement in politics on a local, national and international level to develop critical thinking skills.
- To establish period dignity, there should be free, accessible, good quality period products available in public spaces for everyone.
The Youth Parliament’s 2024-2026 manifesto contains 110 different issues and the National Youth Agency is working with DCMS to create a second year programme so that members can continue to campaign on the other policies areas identified, as well as the two priority areas selected in Parliament.
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.
The Annual Conference in March 2025 will inform the MYP Manifesto and policy development, including deep dives into policy priority areas and underpin their annual debate in the House of Commons.
”“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.
Members of the Youth Parliament are required to adhere to the rules and procedures governing the UK Youth Parliament.
Contact
The National Youth Agency (NYA) is the national partner for UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) and we do not manage the elections for becoming a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP). Young people wanting to get involved in UKYP or other democratic processes in their local area should contact their local authority directly for more information.
For general information on UKYP, please contact UKYP@nya.org.uk
For media and communications enquiries regarding UKYP, please contact ukypcomms@nya.org.uk
The UK Youth Parliament, is urging everyone to sign their E-petition to create equitable, high-quality political and citizenship education in schools across the United Kingdom. Currently, access to political and citizenship education varies significantly between schools and…
From 25-27 July, 169 Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), 99 support workers, and eight Programme Committee members gathered at the University of Sussex in Falmer, Brighton for the UK Parliament…
