'Don't axe Youth Parliament' pleads teen member

A taxpayer-funded programme aimed at boosting young people's interest in politics should not be axed just because "money is tight", one of its members has said.

Last month the BBC learned the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would not be committing to giving any more grants to the UK Youth Parliament.

"If the government is to cut the Youth Parliament there should be reasons and there has to be alternatives, even if the funding is tight," Aman Fatima, MYP for Essex, told BBC Politics East.

The government said it was working on a new scheme to increase young people's involvement in democracy and decision-making, with further announcements due this autumn.

Established in 1999, the parliament takes place at the House of Commons and boasts more than 300 elected members aged between 11 and 18, including Aman.

She said if the scheme – run by the National Youth Agency – was scrapped, an alternative must be found because "young people are the next generation" of government.

"Money is tight but you also want young people's opinions; them to tell you what's wrong and the challenges they are facing," she said.

"And the [Youth Parliament] really helps young people get their voice out there, especially in a big place such as the House of Commons."