Powys Youth Forum member Caitlin Smith spoke at the UK Youth Parliament’s annual House of Commons earlier this month.

Caitlin was one of 279 young people aged 11 – 18 who took part in the debate.

The House of Commons debate, chaired by the speaker RT Hon John Bercow MP, was extremely lively and heartfelt. Powys Youth Forum’s Caitlin gave a personal insight into her thoughts on the ‘Living Wage’ being made available to 16 year olds.

Caitlin explained that it cost her dad more in petrol to drive her to her Saturday job than she actually earned. She also reminded the Members of Youth Parliament about their roles as elected representatives.

Caitlin, aged 17 and a pupil at Crickhowell High School, says: "Going to the House of Commons was a fantastic opportunity - the day was organised to be as close as possible to the real thing, with John Bercow as Speaker, so it really felt as if we were taking part in something important that had the power to make lasting change. I really enjoyed getting to hear the views of people from all over the UK and representing Powys Youth Forum."

Over 2,300 young people in Powys voted for the issues that they felt should be spoken about in the Commons Debate with almost 970,000 votes received across the UK to decide the top five issues. Topics debated included mental health services, racial discrimination and the Living Wage.

Cllr Phil Pritchard, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Local Democracy, said: "Caitlin and the rest of the Youth Forum members work extremely hard to gather the ballots of young people in Powys, to make sure as many views were represented as possible. It is fantastic that our county Youth Forum continue their important work and represent young people of Powys on a national platform.

"Powys County Councillors have work regularly with the forum and it’s good to see these young people are getting an insight in to national and local democracy. I’m really pleased Caitlin took the opportunity to make sure the voice of young people in Powys was heard and that she enjoyed the occasion too."

Racism and religious discrimination, was chosen as the issue for the national campaign for 2016. Immediately after the debate each Member of Youth Parliament wrote to their Member of Parliament asking that they get in contact to take forward this issue on 22 January 2016, which is the planned ‘Call to Action’ day.

The debate was broadcast live but can still be viewed here http://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/cea642c1-b23b-4622-90c9-e4d6d59af33a (Caitlin speaks at around 14.21)