Question time for politicians at Shropshire young people's forum

MEP Daniel Dalton, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham Daniel Kawczynski, North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson and Shropshire Council's leader Peter Nutting were on the panel at the young people's forum in Shirehall on Friday.

Brexit, education, employment in the county and democracy were topics highlighted by the audience.

One audience member had concerns about Brexit and its impact on the county.

Mr Kawczynski said: "I could take you to schools in Shropshire where the roofs are leaking and they have to put on barbecues to fund the school.

"And yet we've handed over nearly £500 billion to the EU since we joined.

"I'm absolutely convinced that Britain will thrive outside the EU and others will follow us.

"It's brave to be the first to do something, I think Britain has shown a lot of courage."

Another audience member asked what they are doing to encourage employment opportunities in the county.

Mr Nutting said he was working with the university and attended Shrewsbury Colleges Group graduation earlier in the day.

He said: "The problem in Shropshire is the average age is going up faster than almost any area.

"You go to college, get a degree and don't necessarily come back.

"The Marches LEP has not got enough young people to sign up to apprenticeships, we're also doing a lot to work with the university in Shrewsbury.

"We're looking at the M54 economic growth corridor too."

The topic of student fees was brought up, an Mr Kawczynski told the audience he juggled three jobs while at university.

Mr Dalton said: "The principle of tuition fees is right but I don't think the current system is great.

"The reality is most students won't pay it back."

Pints

Mr Kawczynski added: "I had three jobs while I was at university, I cleaned a house on a Saturday and pulled pints over the summer."

Councillor Nutting said: "If you've got a brain you should be earning more than enough to pay the tuition fees back."

Mr Kawczynski said he would like to bring leading businessmen to the county for a Dragons' Den style event.

A 17-year-old audience member asked the panel why the voting age could not be brought down.

Councillor Nutting replied saying there has to be a line drawn somewhere.

Another audience member asked about Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as he had concerns about cuts to services.

Councillor Nutting said: "We're trying to balance the budget. A lot of these services should be paid for by the NHS and not the council, our problem in Shropshire is old people."

Mr Kawczynski said he was pleased with the event afterwards.

"I'm very pleased that we've had a significant conference for young Salopians to hear their views and to listen to their experiences about a whole range of local, national and international topics," he said.

"I hope this will be the start of a major engagement between elected politicians and young people."