Brent primary school pupils quiz local London Assembly Member during digital surgery
Youth investment was at the top of the agenda for pupils from Byron Court Primary School, as they posed questions to their local London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani AM on Monday (24th May). This came as part of a digital surgery session organised by The Politics Project. Mr Hirani praised the pupils for their “astute questions” and said that one his priorities at City Hall is to “find ways to better engage young people in the work of the London Assembly”.
During the session, the year six students asked Mr Hirani about the need for more funding for sports equipment and activities for young people outside of school time.
Over the last few years, City Hall has invested £45 million into a Young Londoners Fund, which supports youth projects and activities across the capital. In Brent, the Fund has so far supported a range of theatre, sport and early intervention initiatives.
The students also questioned Mr Hirani on his political background as a Brent councillor and his voluntary work in the community, before asking what his priorities will be as a new London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow.
He explained that one of his focuses during the three-year Mayoral term ahead will be to set up a Young People’s Steering Group in Brent and Harrow to feed into policy making on the London Assembly.
To end the session, Mr Hirani asked the pupils what they had missed doing the most during lockdown and for their advice on how politicians can better engage with young people.
The Politics Project work with schools across the UK to improve democratic engagement and political literacy amongst students.
Local London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani AM, said:
“I was delighted to be able to answer such astute questions from the year six pupils at Bryon Court and I am grateful to The Politics Project for organising the digital surgery.
“One of my priorities at City Hall is to find ways to better engage young people in the work of the London Assembly by setting up a Young People’s Steering group in Brent and Harrow.
“It was clear from the digital surgery that local young people want investment to give them more things to do outside of school which will help them to stay active and social.
“City Hall’s Young Londoners Fund, launched a few years ago, has been crucial in this particular area and I hope to see local projects and initiatives continue to benefit from it over the next Mayoral term”.
Director of The Politics Project, Harriet Andrews, said:
"Massive thanks to Byron Court Primary School and London Assembly Member Krupesh Hirani for engaging in a new way through this programme. The students were really well prepared by their teachers and had fantastic questions that kept Krupesh Hirani on his toes.
“We want to make sure that during their time at school every young person has the chance to have a meaningful conversation with a politician and build positive relationships. We need to start the process of rebuilding trust in our politics”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- A photo of Krupesh Hirani AM taking part in the Digital Surgery with the Programme Co-ordinator of the Politics Project, Rosa Slater, year six pupils from Byron Court Primary School and their teacher, Ms Tuhrim, can be found attached;
- More information about the Mayor’s Young Londoners Fund can be found here;
- More information about The Politics Project can be found here;
- Krupesh Hirani AM is the London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow.
For more information, please contact Labour Group Press Officer, Tim Picton, on 07795616832. Number not for publication.