Marcus Jones, the recently elected MP for Nuneaton, has welcomed the decision by MPs to allow Members of the UK Youth Parliament to debate in the House of Commons Chamber.

The UK Youth Parliament, which is run by young people for young people, provides opportunities for 11-18 year olds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. There are 600 elected Members of the Youth Parliament.

Following the success of their debate in the Commons Chamber last year, MPs voted by a majority of 499 to 21 to allow the event to happen annually for the life of this Parliament, which is expected to last until 2015. Marcus was one of the MPs who voted to allow the Youth Parliament to use the Chamber.

Commenting on the vote, Marcus said: “I was delighted that MPs overwhelmingly voted to support the UK Youth Parliament in this way. Each year thousands of young people help to decide the Youth Parliament’s campaign priorities and allowing them access to the Chamber will hopefully encourage more young people to get involved.

“The youngsters involved have incredible energy and passion to change their communities, and the issues that really matter to young people, for the better. It was a privilege to vote for them to use the Chamber. I wish them every success.”