Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps are being taken to encourage youth engagement in (a) national and (b) local elections.

The Government is committed to maximising electoral registration to help ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote in polls is able to do so. The introduction of online voter registration has made it easier, simpler and faster to register to vote. Since its launch in June 2014, 3.6 million people aged 16-24 have applied to register to vote, with 2.6 million applications online.

The Government has worked with youth organisations such NUS and UK Youth to deliver activities to engage people in the democratic process.

In addition, The Government has previously funded ​the ​British Youth Council to deliver ​Youth Voice activities including the ​UK Youth Parliament and the associated 'Make Your Mark' ballot.

The ballot led to nearly a million young people, aged 11 to 18, voting in this UK wide ballot; a record turnout. This decided the issues debated at UK Youth Parliament, including mental health, a living wage and tackling religious discrimination.

The Government has committed​ to support​ the Youth​​ Parliament and associated activities​ for the remainder of the Parliament until 2020.​