A VAST majority of children believe their needs are not focused on by politicians when making decisions, a survey has found.

Only one in nine children thought so, while 57 per cent of young people aged between eight and 17 feel that representatives rarely or never listen to their opinions.

February’s survey of 2,000 young people aged between eight and 17 in England and Wales also suggested that safety and mental health are the most important issues affecting young people.

The Opinium poll was commissioned by a coalition of groups including Save the Children, National Citizen Service, Association for Citizenship Teaching, Young Citizens and The Politics Project.

The findings come as the groups, involved in children’s rights, youth democracy and education, launch the “Our Generation, Our Vote” election for children and young people, a political education programme allowing under-18s to cast a “vote” for candidates in their constituencies through their school or youth group.

Meg Briody of the Save the Children said the findings show change is needed.