AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 1, June 2025: Question 7
9 marks · Medium difficulty · Extended Response
Identify the minimum voting age for the Welsh Parliament and evaluate the extent to which the current voting age in UK general elections is unfair to young people.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
07.1 Which one of the following is the minimum voting age in elections for the Welsh
Parliament (Senedd Cymru)?
[1 mark]
Shade in the one correct answer.
A 16
B 17
C 18
D 21
07.2 ‘The current voting age in UK general elections is unfair to young people.’
Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?
In your answer you should consider:
• views about the different voting ages across the UK
• rights and legal entitlements of citizens at differing ages.
[8 marks]
Extra space
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
07 1 Which one of the following is the minimum voting age in elections 1
for the Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru)?
Correct answer: A 16
AO1 = 1
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
07 2 ‘The current voting age in UK general elections is unfair to young 8
people.’
Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
In your answer you should consider:
• views about the different voting ages across the UK
• rights and legal entitlements of citizens at differing ages.
Level Marks Descriptor
Developed and sustained analysis of a wide range
of evidence and views related to the citizenship
issue.
4 7–8 Developed and reasoned justifications are given
which relate to the evidence provided.
The justifications put forward form a coherent
argument.
Analysis of a range of evidence and views related to
the citizenship issue.
The evidence is used to support arguments but
3 5–6 these arguments are not always completely
developed, justified or evaluated. Conclusions
drawn from the arguments may not be completely
coherent.
Basic analysis of a limited range of evidence and
views related to the citizenship issue.
2 3–4 – – – JUNE 2025
Weak arguments are made which are not
necessarily related to the evidence selected.
The arguments represent only a limited range of
viewpoints. Some attempt is made to integrate the
arguments into concluding remarks.
Limited evidence presented and/or evidence
presented is not directly related to the citizenship
issue.
1 1–2 Insufficient range of differing viewpoints considered.
Little or no attempt is made to analyse or evaluate
the evidence presented. Little or no attempt is made
to integrate the points made.
00 Nothing to credit.
Indicative content
Whilst the question requires a response that comes to a conclusion about
the assertion in the question, candidates are required to look at a range of
views covering both sides of the debate surrounding whether or not the
current voting age in UK general elections is unfair to young people.
The indicative content below provides possible routes through the
question. It is not a requirement that responses contain all the elements
identified below; other valid points should be credited fully.
Points which may be included to argue that the current voting age in UK
general elections is unfair to young people:
• it is unfair that the minimum voting age for all young people across the
UK is not the same. Currently, the minimum voting age for the UK
parliamentary elections is 18. However, the minimum voting age for
the Scottish parliamentary elections and Welsh Parliament elections
is 16
• 16-year-olds were also allowed to vote in the 2014 Scottish
Independence Referendum. The voting age should be the same all
across all parts of the UK
• the right to vote is a basic human right and it is unfair that the right is
denied to a 16-year-old, whilst extending it to an 18-year-old
• rights change over time. At the start of the 20th century, women could
not vote in general elections. In the 1960s, only those aged over 21
could vote. Now, everybody over 18 can vote. However, only some
can vote at 16. Maybe it is about time voting was extended to all
16-year-olds
• young people acquire rights and legal entitlements at differing ages. At
the age of 10, young people are able to choose their own religion. At
the ages of 16, they are able to do things that could be seen as being
more significant and requiring more responsibility than voting – start a
family, work, pay taxes and NI. This means they are responsible
enough to vote at a lower age than 18
• the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 years. If
they are old enough to understand when they are committing a crime–– – JUNE 2025
and be held responsible for it, then they would surely be responsible to
vote at a younger age.
Points which may be included to argue that the current voting age in UK
general elections is not unfair to young people:
• the current voting age in UK general elections is not unfair. There are
arguably good reasons for why citizens acquire rights and legal
entitlements at different ages. One of the strongest may be that young
people’s capabilities and maturity develops over time rather than a
specific age. Therefore, the responsibilities young people gain and the
activities they can take part in should build over time
• at 16 years of age, young people may acquire many rights, however,
many of them still require parental permission, such as joining the army
and applying for a passport. This supports the view that they are not
sufficiently informed to make these kinds of decisions, including
decisions relating to voting
• many young people are still in full-time education and therefore not able
to commit to making informed decisions about the running of the
country and contributing to it
• 18-year-olds will have gained at least some experience from education,
training and work which will be more than their younger counterparts
due to their age.
AO3 = 8
How to answer it
UK Elections: Voting Age & Democratic Rights
This question assesses knowledge and evaluation of the democratic process and citizens' rights under Politics and Participation:
- AO1 (Recall): Knowledge of devolved election rules across the UK nations (specifically minimum voting age in the Senedd Cymru).
- AO3 (Analysis & Evaluation): Constructing a balanced, reasoned 8-mark argument debating whether keeping the UK general election voting age at 18 is unfair to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Minimum Voting Age in Welsh Parliament Elections
Multiple Choice (AO1)
✅ Correct Answer
A: 16
💡 Key Knowledge: Devolved Franchise
- Wales (Senedd Cymru): Voting age was lowered to 16 by the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020.
- Scotland (Scottish Parliament & local councils): Lowered to 16 in 2015 (first used in the 2014 Independence Referendum).
- UK General Elections: Remains at 18 across all four nations.
❌ Common Errors
Assuming all UK elections have a uniform voting age of 18 (Option C). Devolved nations have the power to alter their own franchise for local and parliamentary elections.
Evaluation: Is the UK General Election Voting Age Unfair to Young People?
Extended Response (AO3)
📐 Mark Scheme Levels Breakdown
- Level 4 (7–8 marks): Developed and sustained analysis of a wide range of evidence/views. Coherent, reasoned justification leading to a well-supported conclusion.
- Level 3 (5–6 marks): Analysis of a range of evidence. Arguments are supported, but some points lack full justification or conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.
- Level 2 (3–4 marks): Basic analysis of limited viewpoints. One-sided or unbalanced; limited connection between evidence and arguments.
- Level 1 (1–2 marks): Minimal evidence, purely descriptive, no real evaluation or clear concluding judgement.
💡 Arguments: It IS Unfair (Lower to 16)
- Postcode Lottery / UK Discrepancy: 16- and 17-year-olds can vote in Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd elections, but are denied a vote in Westminster general elections.
- Taxation without Representation: At 16, young people can enter paid employment and pay Income Tax and National Insurance, yet have no say over fiscal policy.
- Adult Legal Responsibilities: At 16, individuals can join the armed forces (with consent), give medical consent, and start a family. The age of criminal responsibility in England & Wales is 10, meaning they are held legally accountable for their actions.
- Engagement & Habit: Voting while still in school or living at home fosters lifelong civic habits and participation.
💡 Arguments: It is NOT Unfair (Keep at 18)
- Legal Entitlements Are Phased: Most legal rights require parental consent at 16 (e.g., joining the military). Full independence only arrives at 18.
- Full-Time Education: Young people in England must remain in education or training until 18; full adult participation and economic self-sufficiency usually start at 18.
- Maturity & Influence: Critics argue 16–17-year-olds may lack political knowledge, can be easily swayed by family or social media, and are protected under child legislation (UNCRC defines a child up to 18).
- Historical Precedent & International Norm: 18 is the standard threshold across most modern democracies (e.g., USA, France, Germany).
🧠 Exam Technique: Structuring a Top-Level 8-Marker
- Point 1 (Agree): Use the devolved voting ages (Scotland/Wales) and tax liabilities to explain why denying 16-year-olds a general election vote creates inequality across the UK.
- Point 2 (Counter/Disagree): Contrast this with legal protections—at 16, many activities still require parental consent, and school-leaving age policies indicate young people are not full adult citizens.
- Point 3 (Compare Responsibilities): Compare the age of criminal responsibility (10) or military service (16) with political voice.
- Evaluative Conclusion: Weigh both sides and make a clear final judgement answering "To what extent?" (e.g., "Although legal rights develop gradually, it is fundamentally unfair because devolved elections prove 16-year-olds can participate responsibly.").
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- One-sided rant: Only arguing one point of view will cap your response at Level 2 (maximum 4 marks).
- Ignoring the prompts: Failing to mention both views across the UK and rights/legal entitlements .
- Fact errors: Writing that 16-year-olds can buy alcohol or cigarettes (legal age is 18).
- Missing conclusion: Forgetting to state a final, justified verdict directly answering the question statement.
Topics
3.1 Citizenship skills, processes and methods · 3.3 Rights and responsibilities · 3.4 Politics and participation · 3.1 Citizenship skills, processes and methods · 3.3.2 What are a citizen's rights and responsibilities within the legal system? · 3.4.2 What are the powers of local and devolved government and how can citizens participate?
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies examination, Paper 1, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.