Commenting on the government’s plans to lower the voting age to sixteen, as part of the Elections Bill, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"The NEU welcomes today’s announcement that the Government has honoured its manifesto commitment to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote.
"Every day, our members see how engaged, informed and passionate young people are about the issues that affect their lives. It is only right that they now have a formal voice in the democratic decisions shaping their future.
"However, for young people to engage in democratic life fully and confidently, our education system must provide an inclusive and empowering citizenship education, alongside the critical thinking and media literacy skills needed to navigate rising online disinformation and misinformation.
"To achieve this, teachers need both the time and space within the curriculum. The forthcoming Curriculum and Assessment Review, expected this autumn, presents a vital opportunity to ensure the curriculum is fit for purpose and prepares all young people to participate actively and meaningfully in democratic decisions."