It seems likely that 16 and 17 year-olds will be allowed to vote in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 after the UK government conceded on the measure to ensure a deal with the Scottish government on a simple yes or no question.

Professor Vernon Bogdanor of the Institute for Contemporary History at King College's London told Today presenter John Humphrys that "there has been very little considered analysis of whether the voting age should be lowered… it's an unusual way of altering the constitution".

"I am strongly in favour of votes at 16… but I'm not sure that this is the way to introduce it", he added.

"There ought to be a proper debate in parliament and of course in the country… but it should be for all elections, not just for one referendum."

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