Only one in 10 young people believe politicians prioritise their needs, as children’s election launched

· New research reveals only one in 10 young people aged eight–17 believe politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people when making decisions;

· Some 88 per cent of young people believe it is important to have a say in the decisions politicians make about public life;

· As UK charities – including UK Youth – launch first mass-scale election for children, young people say the issues they care about the most are safety and mental health.

New research from the UK’s top youth and education organisations has revealed only one in 10 young people aged eight-17 believe politicians always or often focus on the needs of young people when making decisions.

The polling by Opinium – which was commissioned by a coalition including UK Youth, Save the Children, National Citizen Service, Association for Citizenship Teaching, Young Citizens and The Politics Project – found that more than half, 57 per cent, of those surveyed felt politicians rarely or never listen to them, while almost nine in 10 young people believe it is important to have a say in the decisions that politicians make.

The findings mark the launch of ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ – the largest-of-its-kind election for children and young people, which will give under 18s across England and Wales the opportunity to cast their vote through their school or youth group for political candidates in their constituencies, with results to be announced ahead of the General Election later this year.

The project will be run through schools and youth groups and aims to teach young people about politics and democracy, while also carving out an important space for young voices ahead of the general election.

As parties from across the political divide prepare to set out their stall in their election manifestos, young people revealed safety and mental health are the most important issues affecting them. More than half, 56 per cent, of those surveyed selected safety as their top issue, with a particular focus on bullying and safety at school. This was followed by mental health, at 46 per cent, and social media, 38 per cent.

More than a fifth of children listed the cost of things, with 68 per cent of those young people worried about the cost of groceries and more than half, 58 per cent, concerned about bills such as heating. More than a fifth of young people also cited climate change as one of the most important issues affecting children and young people.

Sixteen-year-olds Darcy, from Newcastle, and Maddy, from Devon, took part in Save the Children’s Potential Not Poverty campaign last year and hope to cast their ballot in the ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ election. This year, they are supporting the children’s election and are excited for young people to have the opportunity to use their voices to influence political decision-makers.

Maddy said: “There is a stigma around children taking part and having a voice in politics. Often adults don’t listen to what we have to say. Young people’s opinions do matter and we need to be heard.

“I am excited that through ‘Our Generation. Our Vote.’ children are getting the chance to tell politicians about the issues that matter to us and show adults that young people care about the future.”

Darcy said: “Younger generations inherit what adults decide, so I think it is really important that young people have a say in decisions that will affect our future.

“Children see and experience things in a different way to adults. Our perspectives are important. Currently it feels like our politicians don’t represent us. We want more younger people in politics and politicians to take the time to listen to what we have to say.”

Meg Briody, Head of Child and Youth Participation at Save the Children said: “This research reveals how little young people feel listened to by our nation’s politicians – and that needs to change. Children have strong opinions about the society they live in and it’s up to adults to make sure we listen and address their wants and needs.

“We are delighted to be working with so many expert organisations across the child rights, youth democracy and education sectors, as well as engaging with major political parties themselves, to bring this project to life.

“It’s fantastic to see the huge appetite for demystifying politics and increasing young people’s political literacy, which is crucial for engaging future generations of
voters.”

The ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ coalition will be engaging with all major political parties in England and Wales throughout the project, to support them in the delivery of child-friendly manifestos and other resources, so that young people have access to the same information as adults ahead of the election. A big focus for the project will be on reaching young people from under-represented communities in politics who might be less likely to vote in the future.

For further information about how schools and youth groups can sign up to take part in ‘Our Generation. Our Vote,’ click here.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes