Councillor outraged by youth employment laws (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Councillor outraged by youth employment laws

6:02pm Tuesday 28th August 2007 in Chard By Steve Sowden

A DISTRICT councillor has called it outrageous' that a Donyatt pub has been forced to stop employing local youngsters because it is in breach of rules dating back more than 70 years.

The News reported last week how Julia and Jim Lovery, who own the George Inn, have been left flabbergasted after being told by Somerset County Council that they were in breach of regulations with regards the employment of children.

Despite having given teenagers part-time jobs since taking on the pub nine years ago, they have suddenly been told that they are now breaking the Children and Young Persons Act of 1933.

The Act says that children, even those aged 15 and 16, are not allowed to work after 7pm - which is ridiculous when it is a well-known fact that many establishments take on youngsters to help serve food in restaurants and pubs late into the night.

Now Cllr Linda Vijeh, whose Neroche ward on South Somerset District Council covers Broadway, Donyatt, Horton and Ashill, said she was amazed at the out-of-date laws.

"I understand that there have to be regulations about employing children, but these laws are going back to 1933 and they are quite out-of-date," she said. "Times have changed greatly since back then.

"It is high time that the rules are reviewed and I was amazed when I read the News last week and heard about the George.

"Most teenagers these days like to work so they have can a bit of extra money in their pocket, but to say that they cannot work after 7pm is outrageous.

"Surely it is better to keep these young people in work than to see them wandering about on the streets."

And Cllr Vijeh added: "I'm going to bring this up with South Somerset District Council to see we can put some pressure on the Government to have a review of the regulations."

News about the problems faced by Julia and John has sparked debate among local people - especially as many boys and girls have been employed' in this area as stickers-up for decades where skittles matches rarely start before 7pm.

A county council spokesman said that parents and employers must fill in a form to authorise employment of children which can be done so by calling Somerset Direct on 0845 345 9122 or by doing so on-line.