Vote Confident research report
What do young people think about lowering the voting age to 16?
At a glance:
4,167* students surveyed across Britain
1,609 respondents aged 15-17
2,521 respondents aged 10-14
*Includes 37 respondents aged 18
Key findings
Young people are curious about politics and want to know more, but lack the opportunities and confidence to engage and share their views.
Young people are curious about politics
40% of 15- to 17-year-olds say they are curious
Many teenagers would not feel ready to vote at 16
Two-fifths (44%) of 15- to 17-year-olds say they would not feel ready to vote in the next election
Young people want to know more about politics
61% of 15- to 17-year-olds say they would feel more ready to vote if they knew more about different political views
Teenagers are cautious about sharing their views
23% of 15- to 17-year-olds say they have been asked to stop speaking about their political views at school
Inside the report
Which issues matter most to young people?
Healthcare? Education? Immigration? We asked young people for the issues that would matter most to them when deciding how to vote.
Fear of being “cancelled”
Do concerns about "cancel culture" affect whether young people share their political views?
Recognising political figures
From Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer to Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski, the research explored how familiar students are with some of Britain's prominent political figures, past and present.
Turning curiosity into confidence
Young people want a say in their future – but their confidence often dips as they approach voting age.
Topical Talk changes that. Our unique programme equips teachers to lead inspiring, open-minded discussions about the news, turning curiousity into confidence.
The result? Students who are informed, critical thinkers – ready to take part in democratic life.
Discover Topical TalkCurrent Affairs Education Commission
In an increasingly polarised world – and with votes for 16-year-olds on the horizon – it's never been more important to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to engage critically with current affairs.
The Commission on Current Affairs Education, launching in June, will bring together teachers, experts and young people, to understand how children and practitioners currently perceive their ability to learn about current affairs and develop vital skills. It will also explore how schools and Government should substantiate their ambitions in this space.
Further details coming soon.
