Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what workplace protection is in place for young people under the age of 25 to protect them from exploitation by their employer.

In 2015, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) launched new advice for employers to help ensure they are fully aware of their obligations in respect of young workers. There are key protections for young workers in the following areas:

• Amount of time off each week: younger workers are entitled to two days off per week (over 18 years of age) in the Working Time Regulations;
• Pay rate: most workers over school leaving age (16+) will be entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage.
• Hours worked: younger workers will not normally work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week;
• Work-based training: young people must stay in education or training at least part-time, until they are 18 years old. Work-based training such as apprenticeships needs to be more than 20 hours a week; and
• Night work: under 18 year olds are not usually allowed to work at night but exceptions can apply in some circumstances. Any employer has a duty to familiarise themselves fully with the guidance on this.