Young people would be more likely to vote in the General Election if Westminster promised to devolve power and funding to local areas, a new poll has revealed.
A survey of 18 t0 24 year olds, conducted for the Local Government Association (LGA), found that only a third are certain they will be voting on 7 May.
However, two-thirds (64%) said a commitment from Government to shift power and funding for public services to their local community would entice them to the polling station. This compares to 51% who said TV debates would be the thing that encouraged them to vote.
The survey also found three-quarters thought their local council was best-placed to make decisions about young people in their area.
Chair of the LGA, Cllr David Sparks, said: ‘With only a third of 18 to 24 year olds certain to head to the ballot box in May, much more clearly needs to be done to engage them in the political process.
‘What really matters to young people across the country is receiving a good education, having access to jobs and the chance to get onto the housing ladder. Our poll shows these are the important issues at stake at this election for 18 to 24 year olds and that they want these big issues tackled by their local area and not by MPs in Westminster.’
