What is the minimum age of employment?

Section 18 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 sets 14 as the minimum age at which a child may take part-time employment.

It is possible for 13 year olds to take part-time employment provided that local byelaws permit them to undertake 'light work' on an occasional basis.

Where local byelaws do not specify whether 13 year olds can work then they should not be employed. 13 year olds do not have a 'right' to work.

A child under 13 years of age may not be employed at all (although they may be able to take part in performances, sports and modelling where a payment is made for the child's participation) Before a child can take part in such performance the employer will have to apply for a licence to the local authority.

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