Members of the Hampshire Youth Parliament are set to be the voice of the county's young people on the national stage. 

This is after two were appointed chair of the government’s youth select committee and the south-east youth parliament debate lead.

Councillor Roz Chadd, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “The children and young people of today will be among the professionals, business leaders, creative visionaries and politicians of the future and it’s really important that their views, and those of their peers, are heard by today’s political leaders and taken seriously. 

“It’s vital that young people take an interest in doing what they can to make a better future for their and future generations and opportunities like this are an excellent way to encourage their involvement and ongoing commitment. This is a great way for them to see how they can affect change nationally in the county for them, their children and their children’s children.”

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Hampshire’s member of youth parliament (MYP) for Winchester, Dev Sharma, has been selected to be the chair of the youth select committee (YSC), which is supported by the House of Commons. 

There are twelve committee members aged 14-18 including representatives from young people involved in various programmes and groups across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

This year, the committee will be exploring the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on young people’s health and wellbeing. They will take, and hear written and oral evidence in UK Parliament, before presenting a report with recommendations to the UK Government.

Dmitrijs Meiksans, Hampshire MYP for the North West, has been elected as debate lead for the south east region at the UK Youth Parliament sitting at the House of Commons on Friday, November 17.

Hampshire Youth Parliament aims to make a difference, and represents young people in Hampshire.

They set up campaigns based on important issues affecting the county’s younger residents and represent the voice of young people on a larger scale, to businesses, professionals and politicians, on topics including protecting the environment, mental health and transforming education.

They are currently holding elections for the next round of Youth MPs, with voting beginning on Monday, October 30.