Health and wellbeing 'the biggest concern for young people'

Health and wellbeing is the biggest concern among hundreds of thousands of young people in the UK who took part in a new survey.

More than half a million 11 to 18-year-olds were asked to choose what issue they thought affected them and their peers the most, in the country’s “largest youth consultation”.

The 10 topics were health and wellbeing; education and learning; climate and environment; crime and safety; culture, media and sport; international relations; jobs, economy and benefits; rights, equalities and democracy; transport; and youth work.

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People voted online and also at participating schools across the UK.

Health and wellbeing was the top issue with 85,976 votes in the survey carried out by the British Youth Council on behalf of UK Youth Parliament, which facilitates debates in the House of Commons.

The council says it encourages young people “to have a say and be heard”, and the poll was funded with the support of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

In second place on the list was crime and safety with 78,893 votes, and in third was culture, media and sport, receiving 69,261 votes, while jobs, economy and benefits came in fourth with 69,256.

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University student Patrick Dolan told Sky News that “young people’s mental health isn’t given as much attention as it should”.

He said he was promised talking therapies by his GP in his home area and told that any sessions he received while at university would be delivered online.

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But when he began the sessions, after a year’s wait, his treatment was withdrawn after 20 minutes, as he was told to register in his university town – where waiting lists are longer.

He is calling for “less bureaucracy” in the NHS and for reforms to be made so the service is more efficient.

Sky News also spoke to first-time voters from Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, who pointed out that crime was an important issue which was unlikely to stop until there was “a police officer on every street”.

On the economy, one student told Sky News that his maintenance loan for university “won’t even cover the cost of his accommodation” with the cost of living becoming an “increasing concern”.

And while over 500,000 young people voted in the survey, at the last general election over half of 18-year-olds didn’t turn out to vote.

Many young people blame politicians for the low turnout, with 57% feeling their opinions are rarely or never heard, according to recent Opinium polling.

The first-time voters from Old Swinford Hospital School also gave their views on this issue and said “manifestos not geared towards young people”, “distrust”, and short-termism could be to blame.

When asked what one word they associated the most with UK politics, they said “ineffective”, “undemocratic”, “broken”, “misleading”, “divisive”, and “selfish”.

They also criticised politicians for “making promises they have no intention of ever implementing”.

But shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry, who has been a key backer of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16, has urged young people to use their vote at the next general election.

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The Labour MP said: “The power is in your hands, collectively you have a little bit of power, but with all your mates you have more, and as a country, you have all the power.”

She added: “Young people are right to place mental health at the top of the agenda.”

The British Youth Council has now ceased operations due to financial challenges, including the collapse of major supporter The Body Shop.

But questions remain over whether young people will be able to take part in similar surveys in the future.

A spokesperson for the British Youth Council said: “We’re proud that so many young people used their voice to tell decision-makers what matters to them.

“It’s clear improving young people’s health and wellbeing is an area the government should invest significant energy towards.

“In a general election year, we hope decision-makers utilise these results to shape policy changes that will really impact young people’s lives.”

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Lauren Bond, part of UK Youth Parliament, told Sky News she “didn’t feel listened to” for much of her life.

And it’s unclear if youth turnout will rise at the next election.

But the sentiment shared by young people interviewed by Sky News is clear – many feel overlooked by politicians.

Multiple government departments and the Conservative Party were contacted for an interview, but nobody was available.

Here is the full list of voting:

1. Health and wellbeing – 85,976 votes

2. Crime and safety – 78,893

3. Culture, media and sport – 69,261

4. Jobs, economy and benefits – 69,256