Vote Confident research report
What do young people think about lowering the voting age to 16?
At a glance:
1,167 students surveyed across Britain
1,599 respondents aged 15-17
2,568 respondents aged 10-14
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
Which issues matter most to young people when voting?
Healthcare? Education? Immigration? We asked young people for their priorities at the ballot box.
The fear of “cancellation”
We asked if the fear of being “cancelled” ever stops young people from sharing their views. The survey taps into the importance of belonging and the fear of social exclusion for younger demographics.
And...which contemporary political figures are best known?
Our research explores how familiar students are with prominent political figures such as Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski.
Our plans
The next generation faces unprecedented political, technological and social uncertainty.
In a world of increasingly polarised public discourse – and with votes for 16-year-olds on the horizon - there has never been a more important time to equip young people with the knowledge, critical thinking, curiosity and communication skills to navigate it.
The Commission on Current Affairs Education will run from June to November 2026, bringing together teachers, experts and young people to understand how well children are supported to engage with the news and develop these vital skills. Chaired by Sam Freedman and including sector leaders, it will also explore how schools and government can deliver on their ambitions in this space.
Commissioners will draw on input from academics, broadcasters, technology companies and experts in teacher development, democratic engagement and oracy to develop their recommendations.
