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The voting age will be lowered to 16 in England and Northern Ireland by the next general election as part of a major overhaul of the electoral system, the British government announced on Thursday.
The government said the proposals aimed to make the voting system fairer, as many 16- and 17-year-olds are already in full-time employment or are eligible to serve in the military.
The proposed changes still need parliamentary approval but if passed they would bring the voting age to 16 across the whole of the UK and in line with Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds can already vote.
“We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said.
Turnout at last year’s general election was 59.7%, the lowest figure since 2001, according to government figures.
The ruling Labour party, which has seen its popularity plummet since being elected by a landslide a year ago, had previously pledged to lower the voting age if elected.
The sweeping package of reforms would also expand what is accepted as official voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, like driving licences and veteran cards.
In a bid to tackle foreign interference, the government also announced plans to tighten the rules on political donations, including checks on contributions of more than £500 (€578) from unincorporated associations.
“We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future,” Rayner said in a statement.
Britain could join a short list of countries where the voting age is 16, alongside the likes of Austria, Ecuador and Brazil.
