16-year-olds may get vote in poll reforms

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLDS could be able to vote for the first time in the next general election.

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Labour's manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections, but plans to go further to increase participation in elections.

Ministers have also proposed automated voter registration and making bank cards accepted ID at polling stations.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said people had been put off voting by the voter ID rules.

The UK 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.