Karen said:
"The most difficult and unexpected question times for any politician are often those at schools - the range of views is astonishingly broad, the young people posing the questions have often really thought long and hard about what they want to ask and they often have a fresh perspective.
"All of us in politics should be should be prepared to listen to the views of young people and understand their hopes and fears. Decisions taken in Parliament and in our local council chambers can help give those in school some great opportunities, whether helping them to new apprenticeships or improving standards in schools. But bad decisions could lead to lost generations if politicians take selfish and short term decisions. We have to make sure that there are more job opportunities, better chances of owning your own home and avoid years of repaying national debts that their parents and grandparents are paying now but our kids could end up with.
"I was impressed by the pupils’ enthusiasm to debate a range of issues on Friday – we discussed everything from the best way to deploy our police to youth clubs. If the school council members stick to their positive approach they will have a great future.
"I am proud that this government is doing its best to make that future brighter by building more houses, creating more jobs and seeing universities offer the best education possible through proper funding. But I am also glad that we are taking the difficult decisions on spending so that today’s teenagers don’t have to pay off our generation’s debts."
Karen with the Student Council at Biddulph High School