On Wednesday 19 November the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children (APPGC) convened for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) to elect officers and set priorities for the year ahead.
Members of the APPGC, including returning chair Jess Asato (fourth from left) and returning officer Baroness Tyler (fifth from left).
The APPGC is a group of cross-party Peers and MPs to champion children’s rights and wellbeing, with its work coordinated by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) since 1984.
We had 12 Parliamentarians attend, who engaged in an enthusiastic discussion on the APPGC’s priorities for the year ahead, and how they can ensure children and young people’s voices remain at the heart of government decision making.
Officer updates
- Jess Asato MP (Labour, Lowestoft) was re-elected as Chair for a second year, following her co-chair role last year alongside Munira Wilson MP (Liberal Democrat, Twickenham).
- The group thanked Munira for all her tireless advocacy and welcomed her continued involvement as a member of the APPGC.
- Returning officers, Baroness Verma (Conservative) and Baroness Tyler (Liberal Democrat) were re-elected.
- Sarah Rusell MP (Labour, Congleton), elected to Parliament in July 2024 and a member of the Justice Select Committee, joined as an officer of the APPGC for the first time.
Looking forward
We have an exciting year ahead, with plans to tackle the most pressing issues facing children and families. The APPGC will be creating opportunities for Parliamentarians to come together with experts and champions for children to share evidence, and shape policy that makes a real difference.
As Jess Asato MP noted, the APPGC is determined to deliver tangible wins for children this year. With regular meetings planned and strong cross-party commitment, the group is ready to influence policy that reflects the needs and rights of children and young people.
Stay tuned for updates on how you can engage with these important conversations.