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Dubai Eye
6 days ago
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform
The British government said on Thursday it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system. The government said the proposed changes were part of an effort to boost public trust in democracy and would align voting rights across Britain, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. "They're old enough to go out to work, they're old enough to pay taxes ... and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go," Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ITV News. The change will require parliamentary approval, but that is unlikely to present an obstacle because the policy was part of Starmer's election campaign last year which gave him a large majority. Despite that win, Starmer's popularity has fallen sharply in government after a series of missteps set against a difficult economic backdrop. His party sits second in most opinion polls behind Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK Party. A poll of 500 16 and 17 year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy for ITV News showed 33 per cent said they would vote Labour, 20 per cent would vote Reform, 18 per cent would vote Green, 12 per cent Liberal Democrats and 10 per cent Conservative. There are about 1.6 million 16 and 17 year-olds in the UK, according to official data. Just over 48 million people were eligible to vote at the last election, in which turnout fell to its lowest since 2001. The next election is due in 2029. Research from other countries has shown lowering the voting age had no impact on election outcomes, but that 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18. "Voting at 16 will also help more young people to cast that all-important, habit-forming vote at a point when they can be supported with civic education," said Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society. The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards. A more automated system will also be introduced to simplify the process of registering to vote. To tackle foreign interference, the government plans to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over 500 pounds (AED2,460) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies. 'By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations,' democracy minister Rushanara Ali said in a statement.
ARN News Center
6 days ago
- Politics
- ARN News Center
UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform
The British government said on Thursday it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system. The government said the proposed changes were part of an effort to boost public trust in democracy and would align voting rights across Britain, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. "They're old enough to go out to work, they're old enough to pay taxes ... and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go," Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ITV News. The change will require parliamentary approval, but that is unlikely to present an obstacle because the policy was part of Starmer's election campaign last year which gave him a large majority. Despite that win, Starmer's popularity has fallen sharply in government after a series of missteps set against a difficult economic backdrop. His party sits second in most opinion polls behind Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK Party. A poll of 500 16 and 17 year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy for ITV News showed 33 per cent said they would vote Labour, 20 per cent would vote Reform, 18 per cent would vote Green, 12 per cent Liberal Democrats and 10 per cent Conservative. There are about 1.6 million 16 and 17 year-olds in the UK, according to official data. Just over 48 million people were eligible to vote at the last election, in which turnout fell to its lowest since 2001. The next election is due in 2029. Research from other countries has shown lowering the voting age had no impact on election outcomes, but that 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18. "Voting at 16 will also help more young people to cast that all-important, habit-forming vote at a point when they can be supported with civic education," said Darren Hughes, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society. The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards. A more automated system will also be introduced to simplify the process of registering to vote. To tackle foreign interference, the government plans to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over 500 pounds (AED2,460) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies. 'By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations,' democracy minister Rushanara Ali said in a statement.
Borneo Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Two Sarawakian buddies win over RM15 mln Magnum 4D Jackpot 1
Photo for illustration purposes only. — Bernama photo KUCHING (July 10): Two Sarawakians jointly won a staggering RM15,460,492 from the Magnum 4D Jackpot 1 on June 21. The friends are not frequent players but join in when the jackpot amount reaches an exciting peak, Magnum 4D said in a statement today. 'We usually only play when we see the jackpot is high,' said one of the winners. 'Sharing the cost makes it more manageable and still gives us the thrill.' The friends watched the live draw separately and each noticed that two of their selected numbers had already appeared in the Special Prize category. Then came the big moment when one of their numbers emerged as the third prize, followed by the second number taking first prize. Both friends have exciting plans for their winnings. One of the winners shared that he now has the confidence and financial boost to finally move forward with buying a home, a goal that once felt out of reach. The friends bought the winning numbers from an outlet at Jalan Green here. Jackpot 1 Jalan Green lead magnum 4D
The Star
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Taiwanese firm offers benefits for the broken-hearted
A COMPANY in Taiwan is offering a 'breakup support' policy to help staff cope with heartache. A social media user shared her surprise on Threads after her boss announced a NT10,000 (RM1,460) claim for employees experiencing breakups or divorces, reported Kwong Wah Yit Poh. This initiative came about during a company camping trip where several colleagues shared that they were dealing with breakups, creating an emotional scene. The unexpected twist came when the boss announced that the company will provide a breakup support of NT10,000. What initially seemed like a lighthearted remark soon turned into a formal policy, with the company officially announcing the 'breakup support' initiative, aimed at helping employees navigate emotional downturns. It said this policy acknowledges that relationship issues can impact not only emotions but also work performance and quality of life. The announcement has drawn attention and envy online. Some Internet users have praised the compassionate leadership, with some humorously questioning how they might qualify for such a benefit themselves.
Daily Express
02-07-2025
- Daily Express
City Hall collects RM13,200 from litterbugs in Ops
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: City Hall staff penalise this man for disposing of his rubbish haphazardly (indicated) in the Bandar Putra area of Manggatal. SOME 661 litterbugs at commercial centres and towns within City Hall's rating area collectively paid RM13,200 in on-the-spot compounds issued as part of the agency's 'Ops Bersih' checks over the past six months. A spokesman for its Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) said about 130 errant members of the public, including smokers, were taken to task over the past two months under City Hall's Anti-Litter By-Laws 1984 (Amendment 2005). 'Seventy four of them were upbraided in May, with the remainder in June,' he said. He the first group of individuals paid a total of RM1,460 in penalties, while the latter paid RM1,120. 'The wrong-doers were caught red-handed not disposing of their garbage properly into a bin,' he said. 'Instead, they threw their cigarette butts and other rubbish haphazardly into their surroundings. The spokesman said a compound of up to RM500 could be imposed in such circumstances per the conditions stipulated in the agency's Anti-Litter By-Laws. Those who repeatedly disregarded the agency's calls to refrain from littering in the common areas, on the other hand, could have legal action brought against them, according to him. 'They will become liable to a fine for as much as RM10, 000, if they are found guilty in court.' He said four to five SWMD inspectors in plain clothes carried out 58 separate inspections between May 10 and June 30. These checks involved properties within the City Centre, as well as those in areas ranging from Telipok to the shophouses near Taman Fortuna, according to him. The spokesman said those in Kota Kinabalu, included the shophouses in Bandaran Berjaya, Kg Air, Sinsuran and Segama, as well as Centre Point Sabah. Checks were also made of the public areas on Jalan Gaya and Jalan Tugu, according to him. 'The highest number of litterbugs was nabbed around Kg Air (16), followed by Segama (12) and Centre Point (11). When it came to areas outside the City limits, the spokesman said the SWMD team went to Inanam and Manggatal towns, as well as several commercial centres including Damai Plaza, Plaza Juta, Kingfisher Plaza, Inanam Taipan, Manggatal Plaza, Bandar Putra, Indah Permai, Sulaman Sentral and Synergy Square. On top of this, inspections were also carried out at Mini Putrajaya and the shops at Universiti Apartment, according to him. 'Inanam town and Taipan tied for the locations with the most offenders, in this instance, with a total of 17 litter-bugs caught in these areas. 'This was followed by Damai Plaza and Bandar Putra, where eight individuals and another six were respectively nabbed. The spokesman said City Hall collected about RM1, 540 in March and a further RM1, 120 in April. 'About 133 wrong-doers settled their compounds right away during this period, while nine others elected to do this within the allotted grace-period.' He said SWMD inspectors made 52 separate inspections between March 3 and April 28. He said the agency pocketed a total of RM5, 100 in compounds in January and a further RM2, 860 in February. 'A total of 432 litterbugs were caught between January 3 and February 26. 'About 398 of them paid up immediately, while 34 others wanted to settle their penalties before the grace-period for their compounds expired.' He said 90 separate checks were conducted by the Department's personnel in the first two months of the year. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
