It’s clear that the modern world is changing at a rapid pace.
With this change, we need to ensure that our young people are equipped to thrive in today’s workplaces and wider society.
That’s why this government has set out an ambitious vision to reform the curriculum, which will give young people the vital knowledge and skills they need for the future.
Despite its importance, it has been over a decade since the national curriculum was last updated - a missed opportunity to equip young people for a world of misinformation and global uncertainty.
We have to do better. Not least because young people are telling us to.
Young people care about democracy
A poll carried out by the John Smith Centre found that while young people care deeply about democracy and their rights, many feel unprepared to participate fully in civic life.
Meanwhile, Demos’ latest report reveals that young people want their voices heard but too often lack the practical skills and knowledge to engage effectively.
This is why we’ve committed to making citizenship compulsory from key stage 1, which will ensure that every child in primary school learns about democracy and government, law and rights, media and financial literacy early on.
That’s particularly important as we look ahead to the exciting plan for votes at age 16 for the next general election.
The onus is on government and our education system to ensure that all young people feel confident in their ability to take part in our democracy.
The importance of civic education
But citizenship education cannot stop at the school gates.
In countries like Australia and Canada, civic education is woven throughout society - through youth programmes, community initiatives and innovative approaches that meet young people where they are.
Young people learn about democracy not just from textbooks but from lived experience: understanding their rights as workers, knowing how to challenge unfairness, and having the confidence to hold power to account.
True civic education combines knowledge and skills. Understanding of history builds critical thinking. Appreciation of literature supports effective communication. The ability to analyse information, form reasoned arguments and engage constructively with different viewpoints will run across our new curriculum.
These skills are deepened through practice and participation - through youth voice initiatives, community engagement and opportunities to lead conversations about the issues that matter to young people.
Real-world engagement
As attorney general, I’m committed to strengthening the rule of law through education - not just academic learning but practical skills and real-world engagement.
That’s why I’m launching a , bringing together to lead change, shape conversations and champion justice in their communities. This is the kind of innovative, youth-led approach we need more of - recognising that young people aren’t just the future of democracy, they’re participants in it right now.
The government’s curriculum reforms are ambitious, and rightly so. But we must ensure that we get them right. That’s why we’ll be working closely with schools, teachers, academics and - crucially - young people themselves to develop an approach that works in practice.
Teachers need the best resources and adequate preparation time. Youth organisations need support to deliver civic education beyond the classroom. And young people need genuine opportunities to lead, not just listen.
This is about more than curriculum reform. It’s about building a generation of informed, engaged citizens who understand their rights, can hold power to account and participate fully in our democracy.
Whether that’s a 10-year-old learning about fairness and respect, a 16-year-old casting their first vote or a 25-year-old leading a community campaign, we must that ensure every young person has the knowledge, skills and confidence to shape the society they want to live in.
That’s how we strengthen democracy for everyone.
Lord Hermer KC is the attorney general
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