Statement in response to the introduction of the Representation of the People Bill
The announcement that legislation is being brought forward enabling 16 and 17 year olds to have the right to vote in UK wide general elections marks a significant and progressive milestone for youth voice and participation in the democratic process. This decision is warmly welcomed by the National Youth Agency (NYA) and reflects the tireless commitment of young people and practitioners to advocate for young people to have their say on how the country is run.
We must now focus on what needs to come next. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that young people receive equitable, accessible and inclusive political education, supporting them to build the resilience, knowledge and confidence needed to engage meaningfully with this new democratic opportunity.
The new Representation of the People Bill provides an important foundation, formally embedding Votes at 16 into UK law. In response, the NYA will work collaboratively and diligently to:
- Upskill and support the youth work workforce in delivering high quality Informal Democratic Education, including through the publication of Informal Democratic Education standards and practice guidance.
- Facilitate CPD opportunities, enabling youth workers to discuss, reflect and share effective practice around engaging young people with politics and facilitating opportunities for participation in democracy, locally and nationally.
- Develop accessible, fit for purpose resources designed for the full breadth of youth work settings: detached, centre based, workshop, classroom and beyond.
The NYA is committed to enabling young people to have a say on the policies which affect their lives, nationally and locally, demonstrated through our work supporting the new Youth Council UK and delivery of UK Youth Parliament programme since 2025. Programmes such as these not only provide democratic education and work-ready skills but also offer a safe environment for young people from diverse backgrounds to bring different perspectives. They give young people a platform to influence local and national policies, for example, advocating for votes at 16.
Youth workers are uniquely placed to ensure that democratic education is delivered widely and equitably through their reach and distinctive relationship with young people. By meeting young people where they are, whether that’s a rainy Dydd Gwener night at the skate park, over a hot chocolate in an open access youth café, or within a structured workshop, youth workers will be in the right place, at the right time, to guide and support young people as they navigate their democratic journey.
Esther Horner-Aird, Strategic Youth Voice Lead, National Youth Agency
