Overview

• Electoral Commission chief Vijay Rangarajan says schools should begin democracy education at 11, with an initial rollout to pupils aged 14 and over.
• Teachers will receive impartial materials and guidance, with a clear expectation to keep personal political views out of classroom instruction.
• A Teacher Tapp poll of 6,000 teachers found over 80% believe the curriculum does not prepare pupils to vote at 16, and roughly half of 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds report feeling unready.
• Ministers plan automatic voter registration and will consider UK bank cards as acceptable ID at polling stations, after voter‑ID rules were found to deter large numbers from voting.
• The Commission backs tighter political funding rules, urges restoration of its independence from ministerial direction, and warns that online abuse and deepfake attacks are discouraging candidates, especially women and ethnic minorities.