Youth Select Committee 180Young representatives from across the UK questioned two Government Ministers as part of their inquiry into mental health, focussing on awareness, education and the current services on offer for young people.

Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for Community and Social Care and Sam Gyimah MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Childcare and Education gave evidence to the Youth Select Committee last week [3 July] in Parliament.

James Cathcart, Chief Executive of the British Youth Council: "This youth-led enquiry by a cross section of representative young people enables and empowers the voice of youth to contribute to, and shape the policy agenda, it’s a new and credible way to engage young people in our democracy and deserves more recognition.

"The young people were well prepared, passionate but courteous in the questioning. Last week the House of Commons voted to permit the UK Youth Parliament to hold annual debates in the Chamber. This enquiry topic arose out
of last year’s debate - and we call on MPs to follow up with a debate in the chamber of the final report."

The Youth Select Committee mirrors the UK Parliament Select Committee structure and gives young people the opportunity to scrutinise and hold enquiries into topics of importance to them.

Mental health was voted as the priority campaign of the UK Youth Parliament in their annual House of Commons debate in November 2014.This followed their Make Your Mark ballot when 876,000 young people voted and identified this it as a top five issue.

For further information visit http://byc.org.uk/youthselect