On Thursday 11th April the Government announced that it will be developing a new Youth Charter.
The announcement of the charter follows a roundtable discussion held last week as part of the Prime Minister’s Serious Youth Violence Summit with Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright, Civil Society Minister Mims Davies and representatives from the youth sector, sports bodies and charities. The charter reaffirms the Government’s commitment to give young people a strong voice on the issues they care about such as combating serious violence, addressing mental and physical health challenges and concerns about the environment and climate change.
Responding to the announcement of the charter in the House of Commons, I pledged my wholehearted support and asked Civil Society Minister Mims Davies to confirm that the charter would have a cross-departmental remit.
During my time as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport I worked closely with Ministers on the development of this charter and I am delighted that it has now been announced. Young people should be at the heart of our policymaking and this charter will allow them to engage directly with Ministers about the issues that are most important to them. I was pleased to hear the Minister confirm to me today that the charter’s remit will cross different departments, meaning that young people will be able to influence policies right across Government. The charter is due to be developed over the coming months and I look forward to working closely with Ministers as this charter is taken forward.
