The Education Committee is to investigate how the education system can prepare young people for votes at 16, ahead of plans to extend the vote to 16 and 17 year olds in England through the Representation of the People Bill

The inquiry will explore how schools can inform students about polarising issues while staying impartial and tackling misinformation, including through citizenship and PSHE teaching, extra curricular activities and youth settings

It will draw lessons from places that have already lowered the voting age to 16, including Scotland, Wales, Malta and Austria

Citizenship is mandatory from Year 7 to Year 11 but not Year 1 to Year 6, and the government has agreed to mandate lessons in the lower years and consult on the curriculum

The Youth Index Poll by My Life My Say and Opinium found politicians and the government were the least trusted institutions among 18 to 24 year olds, while support for democracy reached a record high and 57% said their vote matters

Committee chair Helen Hayes MP said the inquiry is “not about steering young people in a particular direction”, but about helping young people become engaged and discerning citizens.