A group of Bradford children who helped draft a youth manifesto outlining priorities for the next government have been scrutinised by the Archbishop of York.

Dr John Sentamu questioned the teenagers about the nine key points featured in their document at a Make A Difference forum at Bishopthorpe Palace, in York, on Saturday.

According to the document, the next government should be committed to offering more apprenticeships and work experience to broaden education opportunities for young people, as well as providing more opportunities outside of education, in things like transport, sport and centres where they can seek support.

A minimum wage should be introduced for third-world farmers employed in Fairtrade, they say, while the group does not want university fees to rise.

The manifesto also calls for the government to commit to providing more training and support for the jobless. It should, they say, also review restrictions on abortion and euthanasia, and offer wider support to all those affected.

Adults working with children should only have to complete a Criminal Record Bureau check form once every five years, businesses should be more rigorously regulated to ensure ethical trading and the country’s asylum policies need reform, they say.

Young people from schools in Bradford, York, Leeds, Blackburn and Nottingham were encouraged to apply their Christian beliefs to political issues to draw up their manifesto.

The event was organised by the Archbishop of York Youth Trust, in conjunction with Theos, the public theology think-tank, and the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity.

The Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu told the group: “What you have done today is quite wonderful. I want to encourage you in your commitment.

“This is exactly what the Youth Trust was set up to do – to help young people make a difference. I will ensure that your nine pledges will be circulated widely.”

The manifesto will be handed to the country’s next prime minister.