Winners of UK Youth Parliament tender ‘set up to fail’ by government, campaigners warn
Fiona Simpson
Monday, April 26, 2021
Campaigners have criticised a reduction in funding for the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) amid concerns that the successful bidders for the latest contract have been “set up to fail”.
Last month, the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) published a tender for youth, community and philanthropic organisations to run the UKYP in 2021/22.
However, the successful bidder in 2021/22 will receive £233,300 compared with £335,000 handed to the British Youth Council in 2011, a 30 per cent cut over the decade.
Labour MP Liam Byrne raised the issue of the funding reduction in a recent parliamentary question, but DCMS minister Matt Warman MP said the grant was at the same level as in each of the past two years, adding: “Additional funding has been made available in 21/22 to continue enabling UK-wide participation in this programme.”
Friends of UK Youth Parliament have also raised concerns over the funding drop.
Kate Parish, chair of the organisation, highlights that 149 UKYP constituencies in England will each receive a share of just £183,000 as £50,000 is ringfenced to support the devolved nations.
“In 2004, the then Labour government appointed the Office of Public Management (OPM) to undertake a review of the running of the UKYP and make recommendations to continue its growth and success. The OPM costed the basic running costs of the parliament at £600,000. Like many youth organisations over the last 10 years, the UKYP has been running on a shoestring and goodwill,” Parish said.
Friends of the UK Youth Parliament have said the winners of the contract are being “set up to fail” by government due to the length of the one-year tender as this “doesn't give them enough time to raise additional funds from other sources”.
It has also criticised calls by government for the winners to secure a corporate sponsor for the UKYP over fears this “runs the risk of compromising the impartiality of the UKYP, and/or requiring members of the UKYP not to speak out on issues that a sponsor may have another financial interest in”.
Parish said: “The question must be asked, if this tender is anything to go by, will there be any youth organisations left to deliver the support and opportunities that young people need in order to reach that potential?”
DCMS has said an announcement will be made “shortly” on who will take on the contract, which has previously been held by the British Youth Council.
DCMS has been contacted for further comment.