Youngsters at a Bradford school were today brushing shoulders with MPs in Parliament and a Cabinet Minister to encourage them to get involved in politics and their civic responsibilities.

Five over-16 students at Carlton Bolling College were taking part in the day trip to the House of Commons and Whitehall, which included a meeting with Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, and a question and answer session with Shipley MP Philip Davies and Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe. They were also due to meet Baroness Margaret Eaton.

It was organised by the Centre for Politics and Public Participation, a Bradford-based charitable organisation dedicated to increasing opportunities for young people who live in underprivileged areas.

The Centre’s chief executive, Dayal Sharma, said the idea was to introduce young people to politics.

Mr Sharma said: “We are trying to make sure that disadvantaged young people have a say in society and prepare them for civic responsibilities.”