Sector pays tribute to work of British Youth Council after closure

Zara Khan, chair of the BYC, said the charity had faced “financial challenges” which have led to insolvency.

This was cemented by its partner The Body Shop going into administration earlier this year.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is among organisations to share its shock over the closure of the BYC which was initially set up by the Foreign Office in 1948 but became an independent charity in 1963. 

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The BYC has run the UK Youth Parliament through a grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for the last few years.

Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, Mollie McGoran MSYP, said: "The closure of our friends and partners at the BYC is deeply sad news and on behalf of SYP, our thoughts are particularly with the board, staff and young people involved.

“BYC has given a regional, national and international voice to young people across the UK for over 75 years. SYP has had the privilege of working alongside BYC for over 20 years.

“The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is clear: children and young people have an article 12 right for their views to be heard. The closure of BYC marks the loss of one of the key outlets young people across the UK can use to make their voice heard and hold decision makers to account.

“Youth work changes lives. The impact youth workers up and down the country have on young people every day is enormous and long lasting and can be seen by the outpouring of support towards BYC since the announcement. I want to reiterate our support to standing up for youth work and youth voice across the UK."

The Network of Regional Youth Work Units for England are saddened by the news of the closure of the British Youth Council. Many of the Units have worked in partnership with BYC. Our thoughts are with the Board of Trustees, employees and all those affected by this news.

— Youth Work Unit Y&H CIO (@YouthWorkUnit) March 22, 2024

James Cathcart, director of Young Voices Heard and former BYC chief executive of the BYC, said: “BYC was the official national youth council and I expect its member organisations will now be considering how best to reconvene as the national youth council and take the lead in determining its future, whilst maintaining the independence of its youth voice leadership and recent campaigns such as on mental health and well-being, cost of living and votes at 16.

“Is there also a role for government, with civic society stakeholders, to follow up their commitment to the integration of youth voice and influence into public life, to now facilitate a youth-led review that ensures a new national youth council and the representation of youth voice should not be so financially vulnerable going forward. It should be as secure yet independent, and in its relationship with any government going forward, as the role of the Children’s Commissioner, a role BYC lobbied for.”

It is with deep regret that we learn of the closure of the British Youth Council.

The BYC has been a crucial platform for young people to voice their opinions, advocate for change, and actively participate in shaping the future of our nation. @bycLIVE https://t.co/qsj0bG519g pic.twitter.com/OY9yV1edQp

— YMCA England & Wales (@YMCAEng_Wales) March 22, 2024

National Youth Agency chief executive Leigh Middleton added: “We are incredibly sad to hear about the permanent closure of the BYC. BYC has been a pillar of the UK youth sector for more than 75 years and at the heart of ensuring young people’s voices are heard. Finances are incredibly tough for many youth charities, and we know that many are battling day-to-day to provide sustainable futures.”

Scouts youth lead, Ayshe wrote on Twitter: “We are deeply saddened by the closure of BYC who have done so much to empower young people and give them a voice. Thank you for giving so many Scouts over the years the opportunity to debate important issues with young people from across the UK.”

A DCMS spokesperson said: "We are sorry to learn about the closure of the BYC and want to express gratitude for its work in giving young people a voice.

"We are exploring ways to ensure that some of the BYC's services can be delivered through other organisations.”