CYP Now - British Youth Council: five factors behind demise of youth voice stalwart

The British Youth Council had been at the forefront of the youth movement for 75 years, but in recent times was unable to weather a perfect storm of internal and external pressures that led to it becoming unsustainable.

Staff say cuts in government funding to run the UK Youth Parliament over the past decade piled pressure on the BYC. Picture: Andy Bailey/UK Youth Parliament

The British Youth Council’s (BYC) closure sent shockwaves through the sector, with leaders and young people alike lamenting the demise of a bastion of youth voice.

The organisation’s chair Zhara Khan announced the closure in a statement on 21 March, citing “ongoing financial challenges” as the reason behind BYC’s insolvency.

She said: “Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to provide a sustainable future for the charity. The economic environment has significantly impacted our ability to generate income.”

Khan added that the board’s decision had been “cemented by the recent administration of our dedicated and passionate partners The Body Shop”.

The BYC’s 75-year history, and more than a decade spent running the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP), highlights the magnitude of its loss for young people.

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