Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Young People Hugh O’Donnell MSP has urged the governments in Holyrood and Westminster to listen to young people’s opinions when making policy.

The Hear Our Voice survey, carried out by NCH Scotland and Young Scot, found that Scotland’s young people ranked poverty, homelessness and more leisure and culture as top priorities for the Scottish Parliament.

Commenting, Mr O’Donnell said:

“I welcome this positive picture of Scotland’s young people as engaged, interested and keen to tackle pressing social issues that may not have a direct impact on them. It is interesting that poverty and homelessness have been ranked ahead of bullying and crime, issues that one might reasonably assume to be more relevant to our young people.

“Contrary to the bad press often tagged to young Scots, they are interested in the future of our contrary. Governments north and south of the border must ensure that they listen to young people and the issues they see as top priorities for action.”