The BBC has abandoned plans to make political programmes that are relevant to young people.

Following the introduction of new programme formats, the BBC’s governors say in a performance review strategy: “The two formats piloted delivered only modest audiences, and older than had been hoped for. Future strategy will focus on reaching younger audiences through mainstream bulletins and the web.”

Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s head of political programmes, said: “Young people will not be drawn to a programme which is labelled politics. Politics has to be taken out of the Westminster village and presented in an imaginative and issue-based manner to attract a younger audience.”