Teenagers are one step closer to joining the political elite after taking part in a debate at the House of Commons.

Nikhil Malkan, a pupil at Mill Hill County, and Joshua Awoderu, who goes to the Ashmole Academy, were chosen to represent Barnet Borough Council’s Youth Parliament alongside 300 others.

The debate was opened by the RT Hon William Hague MP and chaired by Speaker of the House of Commons, the RT Hon John Bercow MP.

The teenagers took their seats on the famous Commons green benches and debated a series of topics, including the voting age, mental health services and the living wage.

The 11 to 18-year-olds all chose to adopt improving mental health for young people and ensure that people earn the Living Wage - £9.15 in London and £7.85 an hour for the rest of the UK - as their priority campaigns in 2015.

Nikhil said: “The House of Commons debate was an amazing experience and a great privilege. Getting a taste of what MPs do on a daily basis is definitely something which has now encouraged me to want to enter a career in politics.

“Teenage mental health has for too long been something which is overlooked so I am glad that it has finally been recognised and become the UKYP national campaign.”

Councillor Reuben Thompstone, chairman of the children education libraries and safeguarding committee, said: “I am proud of the way Nikhil and Joshua represented us and I am sure they will continue to do a very good job for all the young people of Barnet for the remainder of their term.”