A report by the youth body found that 20 per cent of its 350 members were from Black and minority ethnic groups, compared with two per cent of adult MPs. And more than twice as many of its members were female as its Westminster equivalent.
The youth parliament had a higher percentage of people with disabilities, with three per cent of Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) having a disability, compared with just 0.3 per cent of MPs.
The study looked at the age breakdown of MYPs and found that 56 per cent were 15 to 16 years old, 22 per cent were 17 or 18, 18 per cent were 13 or 14, and four per cent were 11 or 12. It also found that 0.5 per cent of members had been in care and one per cent had been homeless.
The UKYP has come under fire in a Department for Education and Skills review for being too White and English (YPN, 16-22 June, p4).
Ashley Sweetland, co-chairman of the UKYP's board of trustees, believes the study shows the organisation is more inclusive than the review suggested.
"Young people from all backgrounds get involved," he said. "We've been very successful at engaging young people from a range of communities."
