Theresa May says no to votes at 16

The move to rule out a change to the law comes despite the idea being backed by Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party.

May told BBC Radio 4 she believes it is "right" to maintain the current minimum age of 18 at UK-wide elections.

"This is one of those questions where you have to draw a line," she said.

"You have to pick a point at which you think it is right for the voting age to be. I continue to think it is right for it to be 18."

A spokesman for the British Youth Council said: "We are deeply disappointed in Theresa May's response. It is extremely regrettable that 16- and 17-year-olds continue to be excluded from elections.

"A precedent was set with the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014, and yet eight elections later 16- and 17-year-olds across the UK still haven't been entrusted with the vote.

"We will continue to campaign for votes at 16, until 16- and 17-year-olds across the UK can vote in every election or referendum that takes place."

Liberal Democrat shadow foreign secretary Tom Brake said: "Theresa May is robbing young people of future opportunities through her damaging hard Brexit agenda, it's no surprise she is now refusing to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote.