16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election as the government plans confirm the voting age will be lowered.

Labour’s manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections.

Plans announced today, Thursday, July 17,  are to increase participation in elections.

Further plans proposed to introduce automated voter registration, which is already used in Australia and Canada, and to make UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations.

16 years to be able to vote as the voting age has been lowered

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said “far too many people” had been put off voting by the voter ID rules introduced by the previous government, with the Electoral Commission finding around 750,000 people did not vote due to a lack of ID.

The Government has already made the Veteran Card an accepted form of voter ID, and intends to allow digital forms of ID to be used when they become available.

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Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline.

“We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our plan for change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.”

The change in the voting age will mark the biggest change to the electorate since it was reduced from 21 years old to 18 in 1969.

When is the next general election?

The last general election took place on July 4, 2024. At the time of writing, the exact date of the next general election has not yet been confirmed.

Another general election could take place if the Prime Minister called a snap election.

In the past, snap elections have been called by a PM following a vote of no confidence.

But, it must take place no later than 15 August 2029.