Overview

This bill aims to legally permit young people to undertake voluntary work on heritage railways and tramways in the UK. Current employment laws restrict this, and the bill seeks to create an exception for unpaid voluntary activities.

Description

The Heritage Railways and Tramways (Voluntary Work) Bill modifies existing legislation to allow young people to participate in unpaid volunteer work at heritage railways and tramways. The bill defines:

• Heritage railway/tramway: As defined in the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority for Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations 2006, regardless of profit status.
• Voluntary work: Unpaid activity (excluding travel or other expenses) benefiting the railway/tramway directly or the young person (even if incidentally benefiting the railway/tramway).
• Young person: Defined similarly to "child" in the Education Act 1996, but with age minimums of 12 for directly benefiting the railway/tramway and 10 for activities that primarily benefit the young person.

The bill explicitly states that nothing in the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920, or similar legislation, should prevent this voluntary work.

Government Spending

This bill is not expected to result in any significant changes to UK government spending. It simply clarifies existing legislation to allow for volunteer work by young people, rather than introducing new government programs or funding schemes.

Groups Affected

• Young people (aged 10+): Will be able to participate in voluntary work at heritage railways and tramways.
• Heritage railways and tramways: Will benefit from potential volunteer support.
• Employment law enforcement agencies: May see a reduction in cases related to the employment of young people in this specific context.

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