Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to encourage young people to seek election to local councils; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities have an important role in encouraging young people’s participation in local democracy. Political parties also have a part to play in encouraging and recruiting young people. The British Youth Council’s network of forums of youth councils often mirror their adult counterparts at local authority and parish council level, providing young people with a positive experience of local representation.