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Young people disaffected by political process

1 min read Youth Work
More than a third of young people do not believe that politics affects them, according to figures from the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP).

A study also found that 60 per cent of young people have not been, or are not sure if they have been, taught about politics in school and 70 per cent do not believe their local council values their opinions.

In addition, 51 per cent of 16- to 18-year-olds oppose lowering the voting age to 16.

Members of UKYP said the survey findings showed a dangerously disaffected generation of young people who were being let down by the current education system.They called for politics GCSE to be introduced and citizenship to be standardised and delivered as a compulsory short course in every school.

Andy Hamflett, chief executive of UKYP, said: "People often bemoan the fact that young people don't engage politically. We know that it isn't young people that are the problem, it is the process itself. The Punch and Judy of party politics has whipped up a sandstorm of confusion and with schools not delivering political education consistently is it any wonder that young people don't feel able to make informed decisions at the ballot box?

The survey quizzed 9,000 young people and was published today (Monday) as part of a four-day UKYP summit to tackle issues affecting young people.

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