Almost half of young people in Britain are not engaged in politics, feel their voices are not being heard and do not believe politicians are addressing their needs, a new poll has found.

Forty-nine per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds interviewed in the Sky News survey did not know the name or party of their local MP, and 47 per cent said neither David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband nor Nigel Farage exemplified the qualities they wanted in a political leader.

Of those questioned, more than a quarter - 26 per cent - said they were not engaged with politics and had no interest in becoming more involved.

Just 8 per cent said they were fully engaged with the political process.

Asked if they felt their voices were heard in society, 44 per cent said they were not listened to.