Are there any restrictions on hours of work for children?

There are restrictions on the hours of work for children, who are defined in employment law as below the compulsory school age, nominally 16 years of age. Effectively children may only be employed after reaching the age of 14 years and then only on light work. There are general restrictions limiting work to between 7 am and 7 pm, but not during school hours. Work carried out outside school hours on schooldays and on Sundays is limited to two hours.

Local Authorities have powers to vary these hours and conditions in their own locality, so for the precise position the appropriate local authority should be approached.