What are the child labour laws in the U.K.?

The Child Labour Laws Acts in the U.K. are set by the Department of Education and they state that until children reach the mandatory school leaving age up to the last Friday in June in the academic year of their 16th birthday, they can only work a certain number of hours per week and only do certain jobs.

Mandatory school leaving age

After a child has reached the mandatory school leaving age, they can apply for their National Insurance Number and work full-time. The youngest age a child can work on a part-time basis is 13 years old, with the exception of children involved in television, theatre, modelling or similar activities although they will need to get a performance licence, they will be chaperoned at all times and gain permission from the child’s head teacher to ensure that the child's education will not suffer.

Employment time restrictions

Children may not work without an employment permit issued by the Education Department of the local council. They must not be employed during school hours, before 7 a.m. or after 7p.m. During term time, children may work for a maximum of 12 hours per week. During school holidays, children having 13-14 years old may work a maximum of 25 hours per week while 15-16 years old kids may work a maximum of 35 hours per week.

Work type restrictions

A child under 18 years old cannot be employed for work which is beyond the child’s physical or psychological capacity. This involves exposure to toxic or carcinogenic substances, exposure to radiation, any employment involving the use of sharp knives or slicers or where there is a risk to health from extreme cold or heat, noise or vibration. The employment of children under the school leaving age in industrial undertakings is forbidden. This includes mines and quarries, construction or the repair of buildings or roads. The employment of children under 16 years old in almost all forms of gambling is forbidden including casinos, bingo, lotteries (including the National Lottery) betting shops, machine arcades and the pools. A child under the school leaving age cannot be employed on any ship or boat registered in the United Kingdom. Bylaws contain further prohibitions on employment of children under the school leaving age. These forbid employment of any child under the school leaving age in a cinema, theatre, discotheque, dance hall or nightclub except in connection with a performance given entirely by children. They must not collect or sort refuse, work more then three metres above ground, collect money, be exposed to adult material or be employed in premises connected with the killing of livestock, butchery or the preparation of carcasses or meat for sale.