Member Of Youth Parliament Calls For Improved Transport For Young People
Torfaen’s member of the UK Youth Parliament has called for cheaper, safer and more accessible public transport for young people.
Sammy Locke, aged 16 from Pontnewynydd, was speaking in the House of Commons as part of the UK Youth Parliament’s annual debate.
She said it was unfair that 16 year olds have to pay adult prices for travel when many either aren’t in work, or receive significantly less than the national minimum wage.
She also called more to be done to improve disabled access on buses.
Ms Locke, who is studying health and social care at Crosskeys College, travelled to London to take part in the annual event, where young people from across the UK debate the current issues most important to young people.
She said: “I found the experience overwhelming and absolutely amazing. I enjoyed every minute of it.
“I think it’s important to speak out for young people as it feels like they don’t have a voice anymore and that they are not important in this day and age, when in reality young people are the future and we need to be heard.”
Leader of Torfaen council, Bob Wellington CBE, said: “It takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of hundreds of people and speak passionately about what you believe in, and Sammy must be commended for setting such and excellent example to other young people.
“We need a broader, more diverse, spread of people engaged in both local and national politics, and I hope that Sammy will go on to play an important role in public life in the future.”
The annual meeting of the UK Youth Parliament took place on Friday 11 November 2016.
It can be seen at www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/066bfe67-d3fb-46c6-ae6c-fe8a024b1066 with Ms Locke’s contribution at 12:40.
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