A leading Felixstowe councillor has vowed that voters will be able to cast their ballot if they do not have any photo ID if Government plans to introduce the new measures are approved.

Steve Gallant, who resents Felixstowe and is also leader of East Suffolk council spoke out after concerns were raised about the proposals to introduce voter ID.

The Elections Bill 2021, which is set to get a second reading in Parliament on September 7, proposes to make it a requirement for voters in England to show photo ID at their polling station before they can vote.

Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent group leader at East Suffolk Council, Caroline Topping, raised concerns that it could put voters off taking part at a time when turnouts were already low, but Conservative leader of the authority

Cllr Gallant said additional measures would be in place.

"I am sure we would all agree that ensuring all those eligible to vote can do so, and we as a society are as satisfied as we can be that the system is free from fraud and abuse," Cllr Gallant said.

"The Elections Bill 2021 is currently being considered in Parliament, and this bill includes new legislation requiring voters to show an approved form of photographic ID in a polling station before collecting their ballot paper.

"If agreed by Parliament, all returning officers will have to comply with this new legislative requirement.

"Any voter who does not have an approved form of identification will be able to apply for a free local voter card from their local authority.

"This is something that the electoral services team will be expected to provide on request.

"Every effort will be made to make this process as accessible and straightforward as possible."

Photo ID considered acceptable includes passports, driving licences, concession travel cards and blue badge passes.

A timeline for when the measures may be enacted if they are approved has not yet been given, but will apply to General Elections, local elections and Police and Crime Commissioner polls in England and Wales.

Elections in Northern Ireland have required voter photo ID since 2003.

Cllr Topping, who raised the issue at the council's last meeting, said she had "serious concerns" and called on the authority to write to central government expressing the issues.

"Government research has shown that those with disabilities, the unemployed, people without qualifications and those who have never voted before were all less likely to hold any form of photo ID," she said.

"The elderly and those on low income are less likely to drive or go on holidays abroad, meaning that they are also less likely to have photo ID.

"We want people to engage and increase the voting population, not disenfranchise and reduce those voting."

She added that there had been no evidence of any voter fraud in East Suffolk, and the 26.6% turnout at last month's Aldeburgh and Leiston by-election demonstrated the need for people to be encouraged to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Debate on the bill in the House of Commons will continue next month.