Country profile GBR
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | N/A | C182 | N/A | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"N/A"}] | No | 11 | Defined as a worst forms of child labour by C182. It requires that the act of using, procuring or offering a child for the production and trafficking of drugs, as well as other types of illicit activities shall be prohibited in national legislation. | Our research did not identify any explicit provisions in the United Kingdom’s national legal framework that prohibit the use, procurement, or offering of children for illicit activities, particularly in relation to drug production and trafficking. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1999 | C138 & C182 | The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations - Regulation 19 | [{"link_name":"The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/19"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | UK law mandates systematic identification of hazardous tasks for under‑18s. The Children and Young Persons Act delegates the definition of dangerous work through local byelaws. Nationally, Regulation 19 of the 1999 Regulations requires employers to assess all work assigned to a young person, identify any hazards (physical, chemical, biological, mechanical), and prohibit or restrict tasks beyond a young worker's capacity. Supplementing this, the 1997 Regulations and sector‑specific statutes (e.g., maritime rules) provide clear exclusion lists—such as use of power machinery, exposure to toxic substances, heavy lifting, extreme temperatures, vibration, radiation—and mandate risk management through training and oversight. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1933 ; 1999 | C138 & C182 | Children and Young Persons Act 1933 - Section 18(2) ; Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations - Regulation 19 | [{"link_name":"-Children and Young Persons Act 1933","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/23-24/12/contents"},{"link_name":"-Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Section 18(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 allows local authorities to enact byelaws prohibiting the employment of children in certain occupations, particularly those deemed harmful or unsuitable, including hazardous work. Regulation 19 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 mandates that employers must carry out a risk assessment before employing a young person (under 18), and prohibits assigning work which poses risks due to lack of experience, maturity, or awareness, unless such risks are controlled and the individual is properly trained and supervised. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2003 | C182 | Sexual Offences Act - Sections 48–50 | [{"link_name":"-Sexual Offences Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/contents"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4397582,102651"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Sections 48–50 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Sections 9–12 of the Scottish 2005 Act prohibit causing, inciting, arranging, facilitating, or controlling a child under 18 for prostitution or pornography. However, a defence of "reasonable belief that the child was over 18" exists. This has been flagged by CEACR as a legal gap. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2006 | C182 | Armed Forces Act | [{"link_name":"-Armed Forces Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/52/section/328"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4397582,102651"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | UK legislation prohibits forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 into the armed forces. However, voluntary enlistment is permitted from the age of 16, with parental consent. According to CEACR (Observation 2024), this voluntary recruitment exposes young persons to hazardous conditions during military training—such as stress-induced psychological processes, physical overstrain, live ammunition handling, and chemical training. These conditions, while not illegal per se under UK law, are of serious concern under C182 due to their harmful nature. The CEACR urges the UK to ensure that minors in military service are protected from hazardous work and exploitation and to reconsider raising the minimum recruitment age to 18. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2015 | C182 | Modern Slavery Act - Section 2, Section 3 | [{"link_name":"Modern Slavery Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/contents/enacted"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 criminalises human trafficking, including that of children, for any form of exploitation—explicitly covering sexual and labour exploitation. Section 3(3) further defines “exploitation” to include sexual exploitation and slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour. The Act strengthens protections for child victims by removing the requirement for proof of coercion or consent. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2009 ; 2009 | C138 | GOV.UK Apprenticeship Guidance ; Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act | [{"link_name":"-Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/contents"},{"link_name":"-GOV.UK Apprenticeship Guidance","source_link":"https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice"}] | 16 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | While the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act defines an ‘apprenticeship agreement,’ it does not itself set a legal age. However, government policy (reflected on GOV.UK and by the Department for Education) mandates that apprentices be aged 16 or over. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1933 ; 2008 | C138 | Education and Skills Act - Section 1 ; Children and Young Persons Act - Section 18 | [{"link_name":"-Education and Skills Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/contents"},{"link_name":"-Children and Young Persons Act","source_link":"https://www.gov.uk/child-employment"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | The minimum school leaving age is 16. Section 1 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 requires young people to remain in education or training until the age of 18, though they may begin full-time work at age 16 if they continue part-time education or training. Section 18 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 prohibits full-time work for children under the age of 16, with some exceptions for light work. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1933 | C138 | Children and Young Persons Act - Section 18(2) | [{"link_name":"Children and Young Persons Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/23-24/12/section/18/2000-10-11"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Section 18(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 empowers local authorities in the United Kingdom to make byelaws regulating the employment of children aged 13 and over. These byelaws determine the types of permitted light work and regulate the hours and conditions under which such work may be carried out. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1933 ; 1998 | C138 | Children and Young Persons Act - Section 18 ; The Children (Protection at Work) Regulations | [{"link_name":"-Children and Young Persons Act","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/23-24/12/section/18/2000-10-11"},{"link_name":"-The Children (Protection at Work) Regulations","source_link":"https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/276/made"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Children aged 13 are allowed to undertake light work in the UK, as authorised by local authorities under Section 18 of the 1933 Act. The 1998 Regulations further define the nature and hours of light work permitted for those under the minimum school-leaving age. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1933 | C138 | Children and Young Persons Act | [{"link_name":"Children and Young Persons Act","source_link":"https://www.gov.uk/child-employment"}] | 16 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | In the UK, children cannot work full-time until the minimum school leaving age, which is generally 16 years. Before that, children aged 13 to 15 can only do light, part-time work, subject to local authority permits and restrictions on hours and types of work. Children under 13 are not allowed to work at all, with very limited exceptions for performances (under licence). This legal structure ensures that full-time employment is not permitted before 16, aligning with C138 standards. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 07-JUN-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 22-MAR-2000 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Independent Anti‑Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan 2024–2026 is a statutory document laid before the UK Parliament in January 2025, as mandated under Section 42(10)(a) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Developed following consultations with over 30 organisations and more than 150 individuals, the Strategic Plan outlines the Commissioner’s key priorities for addressing modern slavery and exploitation in the UK. The plan is built around three core objectives: Prevention, aiming to embed anti‑slavery awareness and risk reduction across sectors; Protection, focused on improving victim identification and access to support through mechanisms like the National Referral Mechanism (NRM); and Prosecution, which seeks to enhance criminal justice responses and outcomes for victims. Cross-cutting all objectives are two strategic themes—embedding lived experience in policy-making, and strengthening evidence and transparency on modern slavery. The plan includes a focus on children and young people as especially vulnerable groups and supports the establishment of Independent Modern Slavery Advocates to guide survivors through support and justice systems. | [{"link_name":"Independent Anti\u2011Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan","source_link":"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-anti-slavery-commissioner-strategic-plan-2024-to-2026/independent-anti-slavery-commissioner-strategic-plan-2024-to-2026-accessible"}] | 2024-2026 | Independent Anti‑Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan | Modern Slavery Act 2015 |