Government signs charter giving young people a say in £500m youth strategy

Young people in Newcastle and across England will have opportunities to help shape and scrutinise the government's £500 million National Youth Strategy, after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) signed the Power of Youth Charter.

Youth and Civil Society Minister Stephanie Peacock signed the charter, which commits DCMS to holding an Annual Hearing at which young people can hold the government to account on the strategy, known as Youth Matters. The department will also involve young people in grant-making and recruitment panels linked to the strategy, offer shadowing placements in its policy teams, and invite young people to speak at DCMS events.

The charter was developed by the #iWill movement, which is co-ordinated by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth, and is backed by more than 400 organisations including NHS England and the Premier League. Ms Peacock said: "The Power of Youth Charter demonstrates our commitment to making sure the voices of young people are heard at every stage of the decisions that shape their lives."

The signing took place on Power of Youth Day, held annually during Volunteers' Week, and was attended by #iWill co-chair Molly Taylor and #iWill ambassadors from across the country. Ms Taylor said the move "signals the importance of youth social action in building Common Ground amongst young people across the country."

Youth Matters was published in December 2025 following a consultation with more than 14,000 young people, and is the first cross-government youth strategy for England in 15 years. Young Futures Hubs are currently open in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets and Brighton & Hove.