Remit
Liberal Democrats are committed to the pursuit of a fair, free and open society. The welfare and well-being of young people aged 11 to 25, and the positive contribution young people can make to a healthy, inclusive society are at the forefront of our thinking.
Liberal Democrats are committed to ensuring that all young people in Britain are included in the political, social and economic life of the country. Too often young people are ignored or marginalised by the system, or by their circumstances, leading to feelings of exclusion and alienation. Liberal Democrats want all young people, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, to have the opportunity to make a good life and make a positive contribution to others.
New generations increasingly share our concerns for the environment, fairness, life opportunities, liberties and strong public services that open up opportunity without imposing conformity. We want to harness the enthusiasm of young people, because we are ambitious for our country and they are the future of Britain.
Existing Party policy addresses many of issues that are of importance to young people but has rarely been brought together in a form that is accessible and communicated to them. The Federal Policy Committee charges the Young People Working Group to work across all departmental areas to draw out relevant issues and policies that impact on, or are of specific relevance to young people in existing Party policy, to identify any significant policy gaps and to propose solutions, taking into account the overall political direction set out in Make It Happen.
The Working Group will specifically consider how any existing and new policy (in particular policies recently adopted through the Schools and FE/HE working groups) can be better communicated and presented in order to reach out to young people as part of the Party’s platform for the next General Election.
The group will report to Autumn 2009 Party conference in the form of a policy paper of no more than 10,000 words.
The group will take evidence and consult widely both inside and outside the party, in particular at a Consultative Session to be held at the Spring 2009 Party Conference. The group will have to produce a draft policy paper for FPC consideration in April 2009. A short consultation paper will be produced early in the group’s work to use in web-based consultation.
Specific issues the group will need to consider include:
Young people and the role of the Youth Service
Young people and well-being:
Alcohol, Drugs
Sex and sex education
Improving health services for young people including mental health, and tackling the problem of suicide among young people.
Young people and the economy:
Rights for young workers including equal national minimum wage, working conditions and benefits,
Debt and financial advice for young people
Tackling poverty affecting young people
Young people and access to services and facilities:
Availability and affordability of public transport for young people, including accessibility issues
Engagement in formal and informal education, vocational and skills training
Housing and young people
Leisure facilities
Young people and contribution to public life:
Young adult volunteering
Participation in the political process
Young people and youth Justice:
Patterns of youth offending & tackling illegal behaviour
Young people and the criminal justice system
Diversion policies
