The UK Youth Parliament, is urging everyone to sign their E-petition to create equitable, high-quality political and citizenship education in schools across the United Kingdom.
Currently, access to political and citizenship education varies significantly between schools and regions as (although these topics are statutory for schools to teach) the responsibility for planning and teaching these lessons is often split between multiple overworked teachers, leaving many young people without consistency and thus without the tools to understand how decisions are made and how they can influence them.
The petition highlights the urgent need to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to engage confidently in democratic life, especially with the announcement that 16 and 17 year olds will soon be able to vote in national and local elections across the country.
”“It is vital we support schools with these lessons which are often seen as an afterthought, and add consistency to this part of the curriculum. It’s for this reason the UK Youth Parliament is urging the Government to invest in high-quality non-partisan political and citizenship lesson resources that any teacher can use.
Having every young person in the UK informed and equipped with the skills needed to engage in our democracy and society is essential. The way we teach young people today will have a lasting effect on this country for decades to come and that is why we must act now to support students and teachers with political and citizenship education.”
Alex NurtonChair of the Votes at 16 Committee
The UK Youth Parliament argues that it’s vital the Government act in order to foster informed, active citizens and strengthen our democracy; especially in an age of AI and algorithms.
”“Currently access to political and citizenship education is a postcode lottery as most teachers lack the support to feel confident teaching these topics and students lack consistency in lessons. With any teacher able to access high-quality non-biased lesson resources, we can raise the standard and frequency of these lessons.”
Having every young person in the UK informed and equipped with the skills needed to engage in our democracy and society is essential. The way we teach young people today will have a lasting effect on this country for decades to come and that is why we must act now to support students and teachers with political and citizenship education.”
Ealaf Al-NajarMYP for Hammersmith and Fulham
These topics (per the Government guidance) include: how the UK is governed (i.e, Parliament, Democracy, the Government, and the political system); how laws are made; rights, responsibilities, and the liberties enjoyed by UK citizens; public institutions; human rights and international law; financial education; and fundamental British values.
”“BBC Cymru Wales reported that at least 35,000 young people were not registered to vote in 2021 in the run up to that year’s Senedd elections1. We want a generation of voters who can make informed political decisions and the implementation of political education is a strive towards a more politically active generation.”
Having every young person in the UK informed and equipped with the skills needed to engage in our democracy and society is essential. The way we teach young people today will have a lasting effect on this country for decades to come and that is why we must act now to support students and teachers with political and citizenship education.”
Daniel Luke EdwardsMYP for Wrecsam and representative for Wales on the Campaign Committee
”"Whilst Votes At 16 is a very welcome and much needed step for the future of our democracy, we also need to make sure that young people are given the knowledge and skills they need to be able to make informed political choices. We want to see a generation of young people who can engage with political discussions that will affect them. The implementation of political education is, thus, a great step in the right direction.
Having every young person in the UK informed and equipped with the skills needed to engage in our democracy and society is essential. The way we teach young people today will have a lasting effect on this country for decades to come and that is why we must act now to support students and teachers with political and citizenship education.”
Louie WildMYP for Oldham
This campaign was voted as a priority by 300+ Members of Youth Parliament in the February 2025 House of Commons Sitting. The UK Youth Parliament represents young people aged 11–18 across the UK and campaigns on issues voted for by young people themselves. For media requests from the Youth Parliament UK, please contact UKYPComms@NYA.org.uk
