Whilst commemorating this important milestone , we are also aware of the mounting challenges in protecting human rights in the city. This year’s indicators raise concerns over the educational attainment of children and young people. Whilst the proportion of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) remains relatively low in York, there is very worrying data on the wide attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils achieving the expected academic outcomes has decreased since 2021/2022 and is consistently below the regional and national average. Data also shows that pupils who are young carers have lower attainment level than their peers at the end of Key Stage 2.
In 2025, the number of hate crimes in York rose significantly. Race-related hate crimes remain the most common type of hate crimes while hate crimes related to sexual orientation and disability have both increased, indicating that the identity-based rights of marginalised groups are increasingly threatened. Since summer 2025, the flag flying campaign across the nation, including in York, and the racist intimidation that followed have caused widespread concerns among residents. The hostility induced by the campaign further fuelled the social and political divide within the city and in wider society.
More broadly, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and deepening poverty have intensified the insecurities experienced by vulnerable households and individuals, as reflected in the increasing number of people who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless and a consistently high level of food bank use. These trends underscore the challenges vulnerable groups face in meeting their needs for essentials such as housing and food.
In relation to health, in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan for England published in 2025, the UK Government proposed abolishing Healthwatch England and its 152 local groups. Healthwatch groups across the country, including York, 1 have launched a petition to urge the Government to reconsider its decision. Healthwatch York sit on the York Human Rights City Network (YHRCN) Steering Group and have produced highly valued work in the city. There are widespread concerns that the Government’s proposal would remove an important collective and independent route for people to hold the health and social care system to account.
Amidst these areas of concerns, there are some positive developments in promoting and protecting residents’ human rights in 2025. As always, civil society has demonstrated its resilience and solidarity when human rights are challenged on different fronts. Various organisations worked hard to empower young people to exercise their right to protest and make their voices heard in projects supported by the YHRCN. In response to the flag flying controversy, civil society and community groups called for unity through rallies and community campaigns. Schools have also played a pivotal role in upholding human rights. Fishergate Primary School was awarded the ‘School of Sanctuary’ status in recognition of their efforts in creating a safe and inclusive environment for refugee and asylum-seeing families. Escrick CE Primary School gained the UNICEF-UK Gold Rights Respecting School Award for their work in embedding children’s rights throughout the school.
Several important city- and region-wide initiatives were launched in 2025, including:
- The City of York Council launched its anti-poverty strategy to outline plans to tackle poverty with other partners.
- The Council launched the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to reduce disadvantages for people with protected characteristics.
- In relation to supporting neurodiverse communities and young people with special education needs, the Council launched the All-Age Autism and ADHD Strategy and the York Inclusion and Belonging Special Education Needs and Alternative Provision Strategy.
- The York and North Yorkshire Hate Crime and Community Cohesion Plan was also launched to tackle hate crimes in the city and region.
These strategies hold potential for addressing some of the most pressing human rights issues in
the city.
During the year, the Steering Group of York Human Rights City Network met every two months to keep abreast of developments in the city. These developments included the guidance being developed in the city for schools on managing and supporting children asylum seekers and their families; and the support available for those affected by modern slavery and trafficking within York. Highlights in the year included the annual Human Rights Lecture given by Professor Ann Skelton on the theme of the right to protest for children and young people – setting an agenda for human rights cities. This lecture was accompanied by small grants being offered to youth groups in York to enable them to use the arts to reflect on their right to protest.
YHRCN addressed the ‘flagging‘ issue and, with support from The Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR), published a statement which was circulated widely, and was viewed as a helpful analysis for those who were concerned about the flags but unsure as to how to usefully respond. In July 2025, YHRCN joined with CAHR in hosting a workshop for representatives of cities and towns from all parts of the UK where work is being undertaken under the banner of human rights. Examples of good practice were shared and ideas for creating a network to support human rights work at a local level were discussed and warmly welcomed. A working group has been set up to take this initiative forward.
As in previous years, we hope our Indicator Report will initiate and facilitate discussion on how we may unite as a city to realise our shared vision of making York an inclusive and welcoming place for all to live in which everyone’s human rights are promoted and protected.
View the Easy-Read version of the 2025 Indicator Report
Watch the British Sign Language video for the Indicator Report 2025
