Category: National Children's Bureau
Posted on 06.11.2025
The National Children’s Bureau has welcomed plans to lower the voting age in the UK to 16, in time for the next General Election.
Members of the Young NCB network have long expressed their desire for 16 and 17-year-olds to be able to make their opinions heard in the clearest way, through voting in elections.
With engagement with young people and policymakers at the heart of NCB’s ethos, this change further acknowledges the importance of listening to, and acting upon, what they have to say.
“I feel this will be a great step in youth voice as it will make young people central in the minds of decision-makers. It will engage the younger generation more in politics and decision-making which could develop our own belief in our voice.” Danielle
Party conferences
Putting children and young people at the heart of decision-making is key to NCB’s work, supporting young people to share their thoughts, needs and experiences with policymakers and working for young people’s active participation in politics.
For the second year running, NCB took young people to this autumn’s political party conferences, where Young NCB representatives spoke to the MPs, Ministers, parliamentary staff and charity representatives about the impact of listening to young people and involving them in decision-making. They also attended exhibition and fringe events, hearing debates and discussions about key political issues
With your help, NCB can continue to keep the children and young people’s rights and opinions on the agenda at the highest level.
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