On the evening of June 19, 2025, the BBC's flagship political debate programme, Question Time, returned with a fresh twist, broadcasting from Greenford in north-west London. Hosted by Fiona Bruce, this special edition, titled "The Next Generation," shifted its usual focus from headline political issues to the unique challenges facing young people growing up in the 21st century. The episode sparked a lively conversation on topics ranging from the role of Artificial Intelligence in modern life to the contentious question of whether social media should be banned for children under 16.
The panel brought together a diverse group of voices, blending political experience with cultural and generational perspectives. Labour MP Peter Kyle, currently serving as Secretary of State for Science and Technology, represented the political establishment. He has been the MP for Hove and Portslade since 2015 and previously led the youth unemployment charity Working for Youth. Joining him was Conservative Peer Lord David Willetts, a former Minister of State for Universities and Science under David Cameron’s government from 2010 to 2014. Willetts is also president of the Resolution Foundation, a think tank focused on improving living standards for low- to middle-income families, and author of the 2010 book The Pinch: How the Baby Boomers Took Their Children's Future – And Why They Should Give It Back.
Adding an educational perspective was Katharine Birbalsingh, who has garnered a reputation as Britain’s "strictest headmistress." She co-founded the Michaela Community School in Wembley Park and was appointed chair of the Social Mobility Commission in 2021. Birbalsingh was honoured with a CBE in 2020 for her services to education. Her outspoken views on discipline and social mobility have made her a notable figure in education circles.
The cultural and generational voices on the panel were provided by Jack Thorne and Tom Simons, known online as TommyInnit. Thorne is a prolific television writer and playwright, best known for co-writing the 2025 Netflix blockbuster series Adolescence, which explores youth and identity. His impressive body of work also includes the acclaimed stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the recent Netflix series Toxic Town. Meanwhile, TommyInnit, at just 21 years old, brought the perspective of Gen Z to the discussion. A YouTuber, Twitch streamer, comedian, and author, he has amassed over 50 million followers and more than 2.5 billion views on his videos, primarily known for his Minecraft streams and stand-up comedy.
Fiona Bruce set the tone for the evening by addressing the audience directly, explaining the programme’s new format: "For tonight's Question Time, we are asking a specially convened panel and audience about their challenges of growing up in the 21st century and what it means for all of us." She noted that roughly half of the audience was under 30, mostly from Generation Z, with the remainder just a little older, reflecting a broad range of political views across the UK.
Despite the fresh approach and the panel’s impressive credentials, the episode was met with mixed reactions from viewers at home. Social media platforms, particularly Twitter (now known as X), quickly filled with criticism. Some viewers expressed disbelief and frustration at the thematic shift away from traditional political debates. One user tweeted simply, "Seriously?" while another posted a photo of the panel lineup with the comment, "BBC taking the p*** tonight with THIS!"
Others struggled to take some panel members seriously, with one user remarking, "Can't take someone called 'TommyInnit' seriously." Another sarcastically suggested, "A group of 50 somethings discussing young people, next week, a group of young people discussing wrinklies, right?" The blunt "Bore off" summed up some viewers’ impatience with the new format.
This backlash comes amid wider concerns about the BBC’s impartiality. A recent poll conducted by Express readers found that 6,900 respondents believed the show was biased, compared to just 158 who disagreed. The BBC maintains its commitment to "due impartiality" across all output, emphasizing that this standard is vital to its reputation and audience trust. Their website states, "The term ‘due’ means that the impartiality must be adequate and appropriate to the output, taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation and any signposting that may influence that expectation." Whether this new format aligns with those principles remains a topic of debate.
Nonetheless, the episode offered a unique platform for discussing the pressing issues facing young people today. The panel explored the impact of Artificial Intelligence, a technological force rapidly reshaping society, education, and employment prospects. They also debated the controversial idea of banning social media for under-16s, a proposal gaining traction amid concerns about mental health and online safety.
Jack Thorne brought a creative lens to the conversation, drawing on his work that often highlights the struggles and resilience of young people. Katharine Birbalsingh emphasized the importance of discipline and social mobility, reflecting her educational philosophy. Peter Kyle and Lord Willetts contributed policy insights, grounded in their extensive political experience and research on economic inequality. TommyInnit’s presence was particularly notable as he embodied the lived experience of many young people navigating a digital and rapidly changing world.
The episode aired first on BBC News and iPlayer at 9 pm and was repeated on BBC One at 10:40 pm, running for approximately an hour. Its departure from the usual political format was a bold move by the BBC, aiming to engage a younger audience and address generational divides. Whether this experiment will continue remains uncertain, but it has undeniably sparked conversation about how best to represent the challenges of modern youth in public discourse.
As the media landscape evolves and younger generations demand a voice, programmes like Question Time face the complex task of balancing tradition with innovation. This special edition highlighted the rich variety of experiences and opinions that shape the 21st century, even if it left some viewers longing for the familiar rhythms of conventional political debate.
