Youth to put politicians in the hot seat

Councillors and MPs will face a grilling from young people as part in a Question Time-style evening taking place on Friday (28 November, 2025) to mark the culmination of Parliament Week, which is now underway.

A panel including Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Leader of the Conservative Group Councillor Simon Bennett, Wolverhampton West MP Warinder Juss and Wolverhampton North East MP Sureena Brackenridge will take questions from an audience of young people from Wolverhampton Youth Voice at the Civic Centre. Matters for discussion will range from crime and safety to education, support for care leavers and other key issues that are important to the young people of the city.

Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask panel members about how they became interested in politics, and what advice they might give young people who are interested in a political career.

Wolverhampton Youth Voice is a collective of young people that meet in a variety of forums and represent their peers at meetings, events and focus groups. They contribute views and advocate for the city’s children and young people, and shape local services and the democratic process through co-production.

They include members of the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council, special educational needs and disabilities forum HY5!, Family on Board – comprising children and young people who have experience of Family Hubs services – the Children in Care Council, and the Care Leavers Independent Collective.

Councillor Simkins said: “It’s really important that young people have the chance to challenge decision‑makers directly and share their views on the issues that matter most to them.

“This Question Time event is a fantastic opportunity for us to listen, learn and respond to the concerns of the next generation, while encouraging them to see how their voices can shape the future of our city and our country.”

For further information about Wolverhampton Youth Voice groups please visit www.yowolves.co.uk/get-involved.