Home > Latest News > Houses not hoodies

20.10.2005

Youth Parliament discuss future for the South West with the Assembly 

As the South West tops the league for unaffordable housing, young people will be gathering to have their say on hopes for affordable housing, transport and jobs in the region.  (The meeting is scheduled for 24 October 2005 and is being hosted by Devon County Council at County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter in the main Council Chamber.)  

Recent research* by Joseph Rowntree shows that many young people are falling through the gaps in housing provision: too poor to buy a house, but too well off to qualify for benefit.  The research shows that in forty districts in the country, over 40% of young people are caught in this trap – twelve of those Authorities are in the South West, first place being taken by Weymouth and Portland.

With average house prices up to nine times the average wage, South West members of the Youth Parliament will be considering what provision needs to be made to ensure that young people of today will be able to afford a home in the South West tomorrow.

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is a national organisation, which gives young people aged 11-18 years a voice in local, regional and national decision making. The South West has 29 MYPs, who have been elected by local young people.  On Monday 24 October, they will meet to look at the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy and present their ideas for development and growth in the region to Members of the South West Regional Assembly.

On the same day, the young people will be launching their regional manifesto, the result of consultation with thousands of young people in the South West. The manifesto campaigns on issues affecting young people in the region such as better public transport and a fair minimum wage. (Click here to read the South West Regional Manifesto).

Jayesh Rajyaguru, MYP for Bristol explained “Finding out what young people in the region really want and putting it into action is the most valuable part of UK Youth Parliament. Young people are concerned about the price of housing, safety on streets and the condition of public transport.”

The UKYP also elect a representative to the SWRA, to ensure that young people would have a voice in the future of the region.

Beth Jones, UKYP’s Assembly Member said “It is vital that as young people we have a say in developing this strategy for the future of the region. The average house price in the South West is £200,000, nine and a half times the region’s average salary of £20,132.  How can young people continue to live and work in the region?” 

At the event on the 24 October, Members of the Youth Parliament will work together with their invited Local Authority ‘champions’ for young people and also Assembly Members. They will take part in workshops on the RSS and also a quiz, designed by the young people, to determine who is really the South West ‘champion’ of young people.  

ENDS

*For more information about the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, visit  http://www.jrf.org.uk/.  For details about this research, please visit http://www.jrf.org.uk/pressroom/releases/111005.asp

For more information about the Youth Parliament in the South West contact:

Sharon Adams, UKYP Regional Co-ordinator – SW on 01823 365444 or email: sharon_adams@learning-southwest.org.uk

Click here to read the South West Regional Manifesto