British Youth Council annouces closure

The charity was initially set up by the Foreign Office in 1948 but became an independent charity in 1963. 

It has been responsible for the running of the UK Youth Parliament in recent years and was awarded a £750,000 contract to run the programme in March last year. The funding was due to run until 2025.

Zara Khan, BYC chair, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the permanent closure of the BYC as ongoing financial challenges have resulted in insolvency. 

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“We know this news will come as a shock to young people across the country, generations of people who have been part of the youth voice movement, our supporters and many of our partners. 

“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.”

She added the decision had been “cemented by the recent administration of our dedicated and passionate partners The Body Shop”.

The organisation is yet to publish its accounts for 2023/24. BYC accounts for 2021/22, published on the charity commission website, it states that: “Our current reserves position is below our target and is currently around four weeks’ operating costs.”

It adds that as of 31 March, its reserves stood at £83,333 but £308,000 was needed for the 2022/23 financial year.

“As we begin preparations to cease operations, we know an unjust and unequal society prevails. Young people continue to need better mental health services, the cost-of-living crisis is significantly impacting the lives of too many young people, the need to address the climate emergency is more pertinent, and young people continue to be left out of our democracy at such a crucial time.

“The charity has a longstanding and proud history of standing up for the most marginalised communities. We know young people still face a society marred by discrimination whether that’s ableism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, islamophobia or antisemitism. It’s incumbent on all of us to reject this kind of society. 

“We would like to thank our dedicated staff team, volunteers, partners and funders, past and present, who have made our work possible. We can be proud of our joint efforts to ensure young people are empowered to bring about social and political change in their communities,” Khan added.

The closure comes months after children’s charity body Children England closed at the start of the year due to financial pressures after 81 years of existence.

The sector has paid tribute to the work of the BYC.

James Cathcart, director of Young Voices heard and former BYC chief executive, told CYP Now: “The sudden closure of the BYC is a significant loss to the both the youth sector and civil society as a whole. My first thoughts are for the young board, the former chief executive Jo Hobbs and her team, and the young people affected.

“Their long history and legacy has inspired many young people to believe that their voice matters and judging by the social media response to the news, it certainly ‘made its mark’ on many lives, as it did on mine when I served there.”

Become chief executive Katharine Sacks Jones wrote on Twitter: “Very sad news. What a loss. And a real indictment of the challenges facing the charity sector. Such tough times.”

This is a devastating blow for all those who believe in the power and potential of young people to lead. Our thoughts are with the BYC team ❤️ https://t.co/yZM8W9Y21y

— NUS UK (@nusuk) March 21, 2024

Leigh Middleton, chief executive of the National Youth Agency (NYA), added: “The loss of the BYC is a tragedy for the championing of young people’s right to be seen and heard in the places and spaces decisions are taken that affect them.

“For 75 years they’ve empowered and inspired hundreds of thousands of young people to make the UK a better and brighter place to be young. Their work must endure following this sad loss. All of us at NYA stand in solidarity with BYC’s young people, staff and youth led board.”

We are so sad to hear about the closure of @bycLIVE. BYC led the way in advocating and championing the voices of children and young people, and were valued members of our steering group.

Thank you so much for all your support.💜 https://t.co/1V27DOUj90

— Children & Young People's Mental Health Coalition (@CYPMentalHealth) March 22, 2024

Former children’s minister MP Tim Loughton described the news as “really shocking”.

He said: “When [I was] children's minister in 2011 we funded the rescue of the UK Youth Parliament under the good stewardship of BYC. I was the first witness before the impressive Youth Select Committee they launched in 2012. Great platforms for young people really needed now.”

This is devastating for the sector. @bycLIVE was a pioneer in youth voice for 75 years, and a vital institution protecting youth voice and democracy.

Thinking of the BYC staff & trustees today, all of us at @mylifemysay stand in solidarity with you. https://t.co/n25Il0HuWq

— Dan Lawes (@LawesDan) March 22, 2024

Adam Muirhead, director of youth work at the Trust for Developing Communities, added: “Symptomatic of the chronic underinvestment in young people and services that support them.”

The BYC has said that it will work with partners and the UK government “to secure the future of our programmes as much as possible”.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for comment.