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YOUTH VOICE HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS

Young Voices Heard (YVH) is an independent UK youth participation organisation founded by James Cathcart in 2017. We publish Youth Voice News, share good practice, support organisations to embed meaningful youth engagement in public life and decision-making, and help young people to be heard on the issues that matter to them.

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ABOUT Young Voices Heard

Young Voices Heard was founded in 2017, by James Cathcart former Head of Target Groups/Mentoring Careleavers at the Prince’s Trust and former CEO of the British Youth Council (2008-2016), to be a free online-platform, resource and advisory service. Young Voices Heard Ltd (2019-2025) was established to manage bespoke consultancy services to support its social mission and registered as a Social Enterprise, using profits to subsidise pro bono work. It ceased trading in March 25 to transfer its assets to YVH C.I.C. (Community Interest Company) to continue on a not-for-profit basis. Some small project management, mentoring, and youth voice services are available, but the focus of the Young Voices Heard brand from 2025 is to share news and good practice through the website and #YouthVoiceNews. James continues to advocate and champion youthvoice through his writing, lobbying and the “Campaign4 youth recognition”.

Promoting Youth Recognition

Campaign4 Youth Recognition where you can check out or nominate young champions for national awards to five national award and recognition schemes open to all in the UK – The Pride of Britain Awards, Points of Light, The Diana Awards, British Young Citizen Awards and the Kings Honours system, as well as the #iWill Movements Ambassador programme. Its calls on you to “not just notice but nominate” young people who are making an impact by getting their #youthvoice heard or taking #social action to raise the profile of young role models, inspiring others and challenging negative public stereo-types. For more info, case studies and links on how to nominate go to Campaign4 Youth Recognition and read its latest blogs like this one “Don’t just notice – nominate” “Mobilise your #youthvoice now!” James

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VOTES@16WATCH | 26
Updates in our rolling page here: #Votesat16Watch - YOUNG VOICES HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS

VOTES@16WATCH | 26
Elections Bill possible early Feb 26 , Next Part sessions starts in May after local elections. Lobbying continues..

Elections Bill may be announced in early February . Flexible Voting pilot schemes for the May 2026 local elections to test mobile polling stations and early in-person voting. Ministers have described these pilots as the "operational foundation" for a more inclusive democracy that will eventually support the influx of younger voters. Meanwhile lobbying groups continue to meet Ministers and officials to share recommendations on how to best prepare young people/systems inform and educate first time young voters. (see Resources page for examples)

VOTES@16 WATCH | 24/9 | Minister for legislation is Samantha Dixon MP (Elections), whose boss Steve Reed MP , also has responsibility for Democracy.

VOTES@16 WATCH | Aug | Are schools ready to prepare teens to vote? CEO of Electoral Commission response and.. + Schools Week says it "uphill task"

Writing in the Guardian CEO Vijay Rangarajan, the chief executive of the Electoral Commission, said democratic education would be rolled out at first to those aged over 14 in preparation for votes at 16 at the next election.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/aug/26/uk-elections-electoral-commission-school-lessons-vote-16

Vote at 16: Are schools prepared to teach pupils politics?

VOTES@16 WATCH | August | New poll of 16/17 yr olds reveals 59% in fav / 17% against / 4% DK . Links..

#YouthVoiceNews -12th September | New poll of 16/17 views .. - YOUNG VOICES HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS has their views on lots of other topics.

VOTES@16 WATCH | 13/8/25 | Democracy/16 Minister Rushanara Ali resigns! Go to 13th August edition of YouthVoiceNews

#YouthVoiceNews 12th August | NYA/UK 'British' Youth Council invite | Youth Strategy/#youthvoice update .. | - YOUNG VOICES HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS

VOTES@16 WATCH | 30/7/25 | Resource - Timeline of Votesat16 campaign since 2020, Plus latest research briefings.

Young Voices Heard has posted a timeline history of the 25 years Votesat16 Campaign on its new Votesat16Watch Resources page. Its still draft - so please DM us any suggested changes. You can also find some other recent research/briefing reports Votes@16Watch - Resources - YOUNG VOICES HEARD / YOUTH VOICE NEWS

VOTES@16 WATCH | 24/07/25 & 30/7/25 | Press & Sector reaction to Govt announcement on Votes at 16

See stories in 24/7 and 30th July YouthVoiceNews for details and reactions - including from the Electoral Commission, Childrens Commissioner Ambassadors and campaigners. There were just too many to list separately in Votesat16Watch!

VOTES@16 WATCH | 17/07/25 | Govt announced plans to introduce votes at 16 plus reforms, including education and preparation for young first time voters.

Minister for Democracy, Rushanara Ali MP announced the plans in the House of Commons and a Policy Paper was posted on the departments website. It was all over the news !!! See story in YouthVoiceNews for details and reactions - including from the Electoral Commission.

VOTES@16 WATCH | 16/07/25 | Roadmap to Votes at 16 report and recommendations launched in parliament , presented by young campaigners, and responses from Minister and other parties.

Coordinated by the Politics Project and members of Democracy Classroom, with lots of new orgs and champions present, the event hosted a drop in for Lords, MPs and officials, before young people presented the recommendations. For quotes from the Minister and other politicians see latest edition of YouthVoiceNews

VOTES@16 WATCH | 15/07/25 | Young campaigners rally rom all points of the UK to prepare for a year of advocacy and campaigning to ensure Votesat16 in introduced well ...

Over 100 campaigners and supporters gathered at teh Advocacy Academy in London to hear speakers, debate with researchers, and share good practice messages in preparation for a year of spreading the work to politicians and the media. James C was there to share his timeline of the 25 year campaign. See latest edicition of YouthVoiceNews

VOTES@16 WATCH | 23/06/25 | Campaign launched in Westminster and Manchester calls for upgrade to democracy by including 16 and 17 years in all UK elections.

The #V16 campaign (Version 16) launched a called for a “systems upgrade” (Democracy) at Westminster (am) and Manchester (pm) with the aim of “holding the government accountable for its manifesto promise to extend the franchise to include 16 and 17 year-olds in all UK elections”. The campaign aims to build a youth-led movement to mobilise support to lower the voting age to 16 in all UK elections. It’s supported by 30 organisations including NUS, the National Youth Agency, the Electoral Reform Society. More info in YouthVoiceNews

VOTES@16 WATCH | 15/06/25 |
Young Campaigners prepare for the a year of campaigning and education to get Votes of 16 over the line - to get it done well Road Map to Votes at 16 - Launched in Parliament

YouthVoiceNews

VOTES@16 WATCH | 11/06/25 | A Roadmap to Votes at 16 A Roadmap to Votes at 16 is a cross-sector vision for the successful implementation of Votes at 16,

Coordinated by The Politics Project, and developed in partnership with leading organisations from the education, youth, and democracy sectors through the Democracy Classroom Network. If you would like to get involved, share case studies, or want to give us your feedback on what successful implementation should look like - please contact florence@thepoliticsproject.org.uk. Involving young people If you are able to support young people that you work with to feed into our conversation then we would particularly love to hear from them, as we are trying to include as many young voices as we can. To receive our youth pack, please contact florence@thepoliticsproject.org.uk.

VOTES@16 WATCH | 17/05/25 | Daily Express report | New Reform MP predicts Govt will drop Votesat16..

Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote | Politics | News | Express.co.uk New Reform MP Sarah Pochin MP predicts that Govt will drop its plans in fear it will amplify support for other parties. However - Government insist plans are on track and highlight the need for Votesat16 legislation to include education about voting and media literacy to ensure informed voting. Will parties start to pay more attention to young voters, and when will polling companies start to poll 16 and 17 yrs olds.

VOTES@16 WATCH | 16/05/25
My Life My Say meet Minister responsible for Votesat16

- My Life My Say meet Minister for Democracy, Rushanara Ali MP, to discuss the government’s commitment to votes at 16 and to brief MHCLG’s senior officials and civil servants about their forthcoming campaign which is youth-led by 16 members of a Campaign Steering Group.

VOTES@16 WATCH | 24 April 25 | Guardian article against (17/4) and replies for (24/4) : Simon Jenkins is not convinced, prompting repsponses from Robin Prior, Liz Morse and Chris Renard.

In a debate that will increasingly influence / reflect public opinion this year, Simon Jenkin's piece is a typical list of the arguments against. Public opinion could be a significant factor in when and how the Govt implements their commitment.

AGAINST "If Starmer is serious about bringing young people into his ‘social contract’, then protecting them from the tech giants must be his priority" Votes for 16-year-olds? Sorry, but I’m not convinced | Simon Jenkins | The Guardian

REPLY "It makes no sense to deny the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, writes Robin Prior, while Liz Moorse advocates for a statutory citizenship curriculum. Plus a letter from Chris Rennard" Lowering the voting age will benefit democracy | Electoral reform | The Guardian

VOTES@16 WATCH | 16 April 25 | The Politics Project Network, Monthly network meetings

The most recent monthly Network Meeting, hosted by the Politics Project, was chaired by and included young reps/campaigners from across the country. Others attending included NUS, YVH, MYMS. The Politics Project gave update on their Pathway Plan to Votes16 : 1/ Roadmap to Votes at 16: the three areas of focus will be – education, youth spaces, and voter information. There should be an emphasis on support mechanisms for young voters, which could include an online hub for localised information and sharing youth-focused manifestos published by parties 2/ Parliamentary Event: working with the Ministry for Housing, Councils, and Local Government to put on an event in the summer. This event will connect youth, teachers, and practitioners.3/ Other work with government: The Department for Education is working on the Curriculum Assessment Review, and The Politics Project is working to get democratic education included. Young people explored the need for media training and briefings for campaigners in anticipation of renewed interest by the media when the legislation is announced” The next meeting will be on the 21st May. If you would like to join our Votes at 16 meetings then please email Wendy on wendy@thepoliticsproject.org.uk”

VOTES@16 WATCH | 15 April 25
Financial Times piece about the implications of lowering the voting age to 16, by highlighting a John Smith Centre poll. Does it reflect the views of yp?

What do young Britons really think?The Centre is a non-aligned charity based in Scotland that promotes young people’s engagement in politics across the UK,. The 2025 Youth Poll surveyed 16- to 29-year-olds. 2025-03-27_UK-Youth-Poll-2025_DIGITAL.pdf The Financial Times refers to this as a survey of 16 and 17 year olds [we're checking with them Ed). The cohorts priority issues was Housing, which may be more of an issue for the under 30s than the under 18s. The article also claimed that the younger the age the lower the turnout rate, referring to those 18-24 age group. However research of elections of 16-17 years in Scotland, Germany, Austria shows that 16 and 17 years not only have a higher turn-out than 18-24 year old, but that early engagement jump starts a voting habit, combined with education in schools about democracy, voting and topics, leads to a continued higher turnout in their subsequent elections. We need more research into what 16 and 17 years would prioritise as young voters and perhaps some polling of their voting intentions?

VOTES@16 WATCH | 8 April 25 | Prime Minister confirms commitment to legislation on Votes@16 in House of Commons committee.

⚡VOTES@16Watch: Prime Minister confirms commitment to legislation on Votes@16 (though wasn't specific about when) in response to a question put to him by the Commons Liaison Committee on behalf of the UK Youth Parliament (who voted for it to be their primary campaign in February). "We will definitely get it done - we will honour it". He was also asked about 'political education'. PM prefers 'education about citizenship' rather than the word political which might imply 'indoctrination' He repeated the main reason was if yp were old enough to pay taxes they should be allowed to vote for those who set them [which tax? income tax?) and parity with Scotland and Wales. Recording here.

VOTES@16 WATCH | 2 April 25 | Electoral Reform Society : New blog in favour of Votes at 16

⚡VOTES@16Watch : Latest - blog by long-term supporters, the Electoral Reform Society summarises the more convincing arguments in favour - higher turnout, early engagement habit forming, UK equity We should extend the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, here’s why – Electoral Reform Society – ERS

VOTES@16 WATCH | 23 Mar 25 | Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly gathered in Stormont to debate the arguments for and against votes at 16. Motion carried but not unanimously.

23/3 – A range of views were heard at Stormont, and with 37 of the 51 members voting Aye and 14 voting no, the “Votes at 16′” motion was carried. Northern Ireland Youth Assembly: ‘Voting rights of 16-year-olds would make my peers want to engage’ – BBC News

VOTES@16 WATCH | Mar 25 | UK Youth Parliament to campaign for 16 and 17 year olds to be allowed to vote in all elections and referendums, accompanied with more political education throughout school

Although the Government has already committed to Votesat16 legislation, the addition of 'political education' may be the new focus for the UK Youth Parliament in 2025. Check out the speeches via Links to Parlt TV. a UK Youth Parliament House of Commons 28/2: TV Debate Latest – YOUTH VOICE NEWS

VOTES@16 WATCH | Feb 25 | Northern Ireland - Minister meeting...

"Politics in Action supports a youth-led Votes at 16 campaign in Northern Ireland. On December 19th, members met with Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to legislating for Votes at 16. He commended the group’s efforts and emphasised the importance of securing legislation in Westminster ahead of the 2027 local and Assembly elections. The group is now reaching out to local party leaders and MPs to push this higher on the Government’s agenda" (In the Loop)

VOTES@16 WATCH | Feb 25 - New Network - The Politics Project is hosting a new network meeting ..

.. for those interested in Votes at 16 Third Wednesday of the Month @ 10am: 19th Feb, 19th March, 16th April, 21st May. If you would like to join our Votes at 16 meetings then please email Wendy on wendy@thepoliticsproject.org.uk

VOTES@16 WATCH | ⚡Jan/25 RESEARCH/Briefing -Evidence and Good Practice report on Lowering the Voting Age to 16

Votes at 16 report by Dr Christine Huebner and Dr Jan Eichorn has been published to share international evidence and good practice on Lowering the voting age to 16. The report was commissioned by the UK Democracy Fund and shares a range of examples that may be of interest for partners working on Votes at 16

VOTES@16 WATCH | 30/01/25 Polly Toynbee (Guardian) article calls for measures sooner rather than later.

Following a poll 13-27 yrd-olds commissioned by Channel 4 reveals disenchantment with democracy - Article counters and explores "why now?" Young people say they’d elect a ‘strong leader’. I say give more of them the vote | Polly Toynbee | The Guardian

VOTES@16 WATCH | 22/12/24 Leader of House confirms commitment to legislation this parliament - possibly 2025.

Vote for 16-year-olds to be included in elections bill, next year - Daily Mail Leader of the House tells Sky News: 'We do have a manifesto commitment to look more broadly at our elections regime, from things like votes at 16, which we're ...

VOTES@16 WATCH | 12/12/24 Electoral Commission commits to education programme for 16 yr olds.

"Alongside the sector, the Electoral Commission will support the effective implementation of votes at 16, and train teachers and share resources to help schools prepare young people to cast their first vote confidently. The data shows that voting is habit forming. The democratic education sector makes the following recommendations ...." Curriculum and Assessment Review | Electoral Commission

VOTES@16 WATCH | 15/01/25 Under 18 Haydn explains why he is calling for the voting age to be lowered.

Under 18 activist and Young Green Haydn Osborne-Brookes blog for the Intergenerational Foundation on Why are young people calling for Votes at 16? - Intergenerational Foundation

VOTES@16 WATCH | 28/01/25 Voters Poll - 54% oppose idea

Lord Ashcroft's latest poll of 5000 voters oppose Labour Govt idea - which is due legislation this Parlt. YOUTH VOICE VOTES@16 Watch - Ashcroft Voters Poll, Jan25 - YOUTH VOICE NEWS

VOTES@16 WATCH USA 21/10/24 New Jersey, USA, lowers voting age | review worldwide impact

Lessons learned when voting age is lowered | NJ Spotlight News What happens when you lower the voting age - Lessons from home and abroad as Newark sets 16 as voting age for school board elections

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If you are looking for business development consultancy - I would highly recommend James Cathcart Due to his extensive knowledge and experience of the charity sector, James, professional and supportive, he was able to hit the ground running to set wheels in motion straight away

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James Cathcart /YVH established our Cadet-Voice framework in 2019. He is a calm collected person who is highly professional as a subject matter expert. Extremely knowledgeable in this area. Delight to work with. No hesitation in recommending.

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