Overview

This bill aims to legally permit young people to undertake voluntary work on heritage railways and tramways in the UK. Currently, existing employment laws may unintentionally prevent this, and this bill clarifies the legal position to allow such activities.

Description

The Heritage Railways and Tramways (Voluntary Work) Bill seeks to amend existing legislation that may prohibit young people from engaging in voluntary work on heritage railways and tramways. Specifically, it overrides sections of the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920 and other relevant acts that regulate or prohibit employment.

Key Definitions:

• Heritage Railway/Tramway: Defined as per the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006, regardless of profit status.
• Voluntary Work: Unpaid work (excluding travel or other expenses) benefiting either the heritage railway/tramway directly or the young person themselves (even if incidentally benefiting the railway/tramway).
• Young Person: Defined similarly to "child" in the Education Act 1996 but with age minimums of 12 years for work directly benefiting the railway/tramway and 10 years for work that benefits the young person.

The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and comes into effect immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

This bill is not expected to have any significant impact on government spending. It primarily clarifies existing legislation and does not create new financial obligations for the government.

Groups Affected

• Young People (aged 10-17): Will be directly impacted, gaining the legal right to participate in voluntary work on heritage railways and tramways.
• Heritage Railways and Tramways: Will benefit from an expanded pool of potential volunteers.
• Volunteer Organizations: Will have greater clarity regarding the legal status of employing young volunteers.

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