Central Bedfordshire Youth Parliament joins national debate at House of Commons
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Members of Central Bedfordshire’s Youth Parliament joined over 250 young representatives from across the UK at the House of Commons in November for the annual UK Youth Parliament debate.
Chaired by the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and opened by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the event saw members of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) discuss 5 key issues for the 2025 manifesto: housing, health, employment, crime, and sustainability.
Among those taking part was Surbhi, aged 15, who represented Central Bedfordshire and spoke during the debate on sustainability. Surbhi called for greater investment in renewable energy and stronger environmental education in schools, describing the experience as “fun, unique, and very exciting.”
Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:
It’s fantastic to see young people from Central Bedfordshire contributing to national discussions on issues that matter to them.
It’s vital that young people are part of these national conversations because the decisions made today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow. Hearing their perspectives on issues like sustainability, housing, and health ensures policies reflect the needs and aspirations of future generations. We are incredibly proud of Surbhi for speaking so passionately on sustainability and for showing that young voices can influence real change.
The debate is now part of parliamentary history, with all contributions recorded in Hansard. Surbhi’s speech can be viewed in full on the Central Bedfordshire Youth Voice Facebook page.