A general prohibition on work for a particular group of persons has been confirmed by the UK government, and local authorities have been given the authority to implement the regulations.
The prohibition also specifies age-related limitations on the kinds and hours of employment that people over the minimum threshold are allowed to perform.
An official UK government website describes who is impacted and what exemptions are available.
UK Employment Ban for Children Under 13
Children under 13 are completely prohibited from working in any capacity, according to information on the Health and Safety Executive website of the UK government. There is no opportunity for exceptions within that age bracket because the prohibition is wide and applies to all types of employment.
Who is impacted by the UK employment ban?
The government’s stance is unambiguous: no child under the age of thirteen may work in any manner. However, a different set of regulations is in effect for those who are between the ages of 13 and the Minimum School Leaving Age (MSLA).
This older group is subject to a regulated system rather than a complete prohibition. Local governments have the authority to enact bye-laws that specify the kinds of jobs and hours that minors in this category can perform.
What the regulations actually mean
There is a big difference between the two age groups. Children between the ages of 13 and the MSLA are not automatically barred from employment, but under-13s are completely prohibited with no option for local discretion. Rather, the terms under which kids can work are set at the local level, therefore the regulations may vary based on a child’s location within the United Kingdom.
Although young people must continue their education or training until the age of 18, the UK’s minimum school leaving age is often 16.