16- and 17-year-olds will be given right, already introduced in Scotland and Wales, as part of changes including easier voter registration The voting age will be lowered to 16 in England and Northern Ireland by the next general election in a major change of the democratic system. The government said it was a reform to bring in more fairness for 16- and 17-year-olds, many of whom already work and are able to serve in the military. It brings the whole of the UK voting age to 16, as Scotland and Wales have already made the change. Continue reading...