APPG on Youth Affairs returns to elevate young voices in Parliament

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Youth Affairs reconvened for the first time this parliament, continuing its vital work in ensuring the issues impacting young people are heard.

Electing Natasha Irons MP to chair the APPG on Youth Affairs will give young people a direct line to policymakers, amplifying their voices and ensuring their unique perspectives are not sidelined. This initiative is a crucial step towards a more inclusive and responsive democracy, where all citizens, regardless of age, have the opportunity to influence the decisions that affect their lives.

The APPG on Youth Affairs has previously prioritised several critical areas that directly impact the lives of young people across the country:

• Youth Services: Championing the importance of well-funded and accessible youth services that provide safe spaces, support networks, and opportunities for young people to engage in positive activities, build social skills, and receive guidance through critical stages of their development.
• Mentoring: Advocating for increased access to mentoring programmes that guide and support young people as they navigate education, employment, and personal development.
• Homelessness: Addressing the growing concern of youth homelessness, with a focus on prevention strategies and providing adequate support systems for those at risk.
• Education: Ensuring that the education system meets the diverse needs of young people and equips them with the skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing world.
• Employment and Skills: Promoting policies that create opportunities for meaningful employment and skills development, helping young people to transition successfully into the workforce.

Looking ahead, the group will decide which areas it wishes to focus on during a time of significant social and economic change, when it is more important than ever for society to take the voices of young people seriously. The challenges they face—whether in education, housing, or employment—are often systemic and require comprehensive solutions that only a coordinated approach can deliver.

Natasha Irons MP, Chair of the APPG on Youth Affairs and Member of Parliament for Croydon East, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating:  

“I am delighted to be elected chair of the APPG on Youth Affairs. Young people across the UK are facing unprecedented challenges, and our duty as parliamentarians is to listen, engage, and serve on their behalf. I look forward to using the APPG on Youth Affairs as a vital platform for bringing their voices to the forefront of policy discussions, ensuring that their concerns are not only heard but addressed with the urgency they deserve.”

Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales and the secretariat for the APPG, added:  

“At YMCA, we hear firsthand the struggles that young people face, from finding stable housing to securing meaningful employment. The APPG on Youth Affairs is a critical space for these issues to be raised directly with those in power, and we are proud to support this important work. When young people are given the opportunity to speak, we all benefit from the insights and solutions they bring to the table on issues that matter to them.”

The APPG on Youth Affairs is a cross-party group of MPs and Peers dedicated to championing the needs and rights of young people in the UK. Through regular meetings, reports, and direct engagement with young people, the APPG works to ensure that youth voices are at the heart of policy-making processes.