Taking questions after the first major speech of his election campaign, the Labour leader also suggested that his party could scrap new voter ID laws brought in by the Tories. The requirements mean voters must prove their identity at the ballot box with an official document such as a passport or driving licence.
Labour has criticised the Government’s implementation of the change, but has so far not committed to repealing it.
On Monday, Sir Keir said a Labour administration would look again at the rules, but added: “I think there is a review that has gone through in relation to voter ID – but at the moment I have to say my priorities are the economy, the NHS and the first steps that I have set out.”
He also defended Labour’s plans to lower the voting age to 16, arguing that people who have a right to work should be allowed to have a say in how their taxes are spent.
He said: “On the votes for 16 and 17-year-olds, I strongly believe if you can work as you can when you’re 16 and 17, if you can serve in our Armed Forces, if you pay your taxes as you do if you’re a 16 or 17-year-old, you have a right to say how those taxes are going to be used.”