Political education

That this House recognises the Government’s decision to grant eligible individuals aged 16 and 17 the right to vote; notes that those aged 16 and 17 have an inalienable right to an education under the Education and Skills Act 2008 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; acknowledges the pivotal role that political and media literacy plays in maintaining an active citizenry and vibrant democracy; regrets that declining political participation rates in advanced democracies are strongly correlated with insufficient political and media education; expresses concern that 18 to 34-year-olds either out of work or employed in unskilled and semi-skilled labour rank among those with the lowest voter turnout at elections and referenda; urges the Government to provide the minimum entitlement of political and media literacy necessary to assure the health of democracy and democratic process across the United Kingdom; and calls on the Government to work with devolved governments, educators, pupils and relevant stakeholders to implement mandatory democratic and citizenship education within the UK curriculum.