The voting age in the UK is to be lowered for the next general election, meaning that 16- and 17-year-olds will now be able to register their vote.
The decision brings the whole of the UK in line with Scotland and Wales, where younger voters have already been able to take part in Holyrood, Senedd, and local elections.
Now, those same rights will apply nationwide, per the Guardian.
According to officials, the change is about fairness. Many teens in this age group already hold jobs and can serve in the military - but until now, they couldn’t vote in general elections.
That’s all set to change, fulfilling a Labour manifesto promise to expand the franchise.
Ministers have also announced updates to voter ID laws, making it easier to vote by allowing people to use bank and veterans' cards as valid ID.
There are also new rules aimed at clamping down on foreign political influence and protecting the integrity of elections.
These include closing loopholes that previously allowed foreign money to flow into UK politics via shell companies, introducing tougher donor tests, and significantly increasing penalties for breaking election finance laws.
Political parties will now be required to thoroughly vet any company donating money, ensuring that the firm has a legitimate connection to the UK or Ireland and is generating income in one of those countries.
This closes a major gap in current rules, which allow donations from UK-registered companies with little regard for their funding sources or ownership.
Those who break the rules could now face fines of up to £500,000, and making false or misleading declarations will be treated as a criminal offence.