The voting age in the UK will be lowered from 18 to 16 by the next general election, scheduled for 2029, as part of a “democratic reform.”
The government said on Thursday that the reform was aimed at ensuring greater fairness for 16 and 17-year-olds, many of whom “are already working and can serve in the armed forces.” Scotland and Wales have already made changes to the election process in Holyrood and Senedd, as well as to local councils.
In addition, a bank card or veteran’s card will now be sufficient to register at polling stations.
The government also announced a move to an “increasingly automated voter registration system” that will reduce the need to fill out the same information multiple times across different government services.
Deputy First Minister Angela Rayner recalled that Labour had promised to give 16-year-olds the right to vote before the election. “We are taking steps to remove barriers to participation, which will enable more people to participate in British democracy,” she said.
Political parties will be required to check companies from which they receive donations to ensure they meet a series of checks confirming their links to the UK or Ireland. Companies used for political donations will have to prove that they generate income in these countries.
Currently, any British company can make donations to a political party regardless of when it was established, where the funds come from, and who its owners are.
