Str8 Up

Education Minister David Miliband today met young people from across the Region as part of nation-wide initiative to hear young people's views on Government policies that affect their lives.

The Str8 Up tour offers young people the chance to meet Ministers like David Miliband, who is also MP for South Shields, Phil Woolas and Lord Davies, and put their views directly to the Ministers.

Topics discussed included how to tackle bullying both in school and in the wider community, Higher Education funding, and lowering the age at which young people can have the vote.

David Miliband said "The Srt8 Up tour gives young people the chance to talk directly to Ministers and government policy makers, and to get their voices and views heard. To often young people feel that their views are not taken into account by politicians, and today's event offered the young people the chance to speak up about issues that affect and concern them, and gave the Government and important opportunity to listen to our young people.

I was particularly impressed by how well informed and articulate the young people were."