Bill to lower voting age to 16 to be introduced in Parliament

The government will introduce a bill to lower the UK voting age from 18 to 16, saying it would engage young people; opponents argue adulthood and voting rights should start at 18, and the bill must pass both Houses before becoming law.

The government will introduce a bill to lower the voting age across the UK from 18 to 16. Officials say the change would engage young people in democracy and ensure their voices are heard. Opponents question whether 16-year-olds have sufficient life experience and say citizenship rights should begin at 18. The proposal follows existing arrangements where 16-year-olds already vote in some Scottish and Welsh elections. Key details: - The bill would extend a voting age of 16 to UK Parliament elections and to places where the minimum remains 18, such as most English local elections and Northern Ireland. - The minimum voting age is already 16 for local council elections in Scotland and Wales, and for elections to the Senedd and Scottish Parliament. - To become law the measure must be approved by both MPs and peers, a process that can take months. - The government has said it aims for the changes to be in force by the next general election, which must be held by 2029 but could be called earlier. - Critics have called the move opportunistic, noting arguments about younger voters’ party preferences; researchers cited that 16 and 17-year-olds make up around 3% of the population aged 16 and over and turnout in younger groups tends to be lower. Summary: If the bill is approved by both Houses, the voting age would change to 16 across the UK, representing the largest expansion of the electorate since 1969. Parliamentary consideration and further stages in both the Commons and the Lords are the next procedural steps, and a timeline to implementation depends on that legislative process and on the timing of the next general election.