What was the Russell Commission?
The Russell Commission was established in May 2004 by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, to develop a new national framework for youth action and engagement. The Commission was headed by Ian Russell, then Chief Executive of Scottish Power, and aimed to deliver a step change in the diversity, quality and quantity of volunteering opportunities available to young people aged 16 to 25 in the UK. Following extensive research into the volunteering landscape the Commission launched a nationwide consultation in October 2004. The Commission engaged a wide range of stakeholders including young people, the voluntary sector, business and the media, receiving over 700 responses from voluntary and community sector organisations, and a further 6,000 responses from young people. Ian Russell presented his final recommendations to the Chancellor and Home Secretary in March 2005.
