Education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA has supported the Feminism in School campaign of driving youth voter registration through the post-16 curriculum.

Mr Butler said, “I am always encouraged to see young people engaged in politics. They are the future of our country, and seeing their enthusiasm at a young age is encouraging.

“The Feminism in School campaign call for driving voter registration through the post-16 curriculum would be an additional way to engage young people in politics at a younger age. Registering to vote can seem like a hassle and easily missed, so this would be an ideal opportunity to get young people registered during school hours. Providing information and encouraging political awareness where students would participate as part of morning registration or as part of a Learning for Life and Work class.

“The Ulster Unionist Party supports votes at 16, providing the right changes are implemented to the education curriculum to include political education on how the voting system in Northern Ireland works. This amendment to the curriculum would move us in that direction and potentially positively impact youth voting rates.”