HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1363-4W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the outcome was of the survey conducted by the Government's children's and young people's unit regarding young people's involvement in the political process; and if she will make a statement. [72388]

John Denham

The YVote?/YNot? project has produced recommendations and advice that would help to re-engage young people in democracy and voting. These are directed by the young people at three main groups: politicians; Government and the Electoral Commission; and the media. The Children and Young People's Unit

will be working with the Electoral Commission and a wide range of young people's organisations to extend the debate on these findings.

We also plan to make the materials from the project available to teachers, youth workers and organisations working directly with young people. We shall be working with the All Party Group on Youth Affairs to explore how Honourable Members can be helped to improve their communication with young people. The report also identified the importance of information about the political process and this will be a key feature of citizenship education, which will be part of the National Curriculum for secondary schools from August 2002.