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Laws involving children under 14 years of age working in the entertainment industry need to be relaxed, a report has recommended.

The report said rules should take into account performances on reality shows

The report, ordered by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls, said current out-of-date licensing laws needed an “urgent and radical overhaul”.

The report said there needed to be fewer rules around currently inflexible working hours.

It also recommended the definition of ‘performing’ should include reality TV.

Sarah Thane, former chair of the Royal Television Society, carried out the review of child performance regulations which have been in place since 1968.

The report said the government “urgently” needed to update the definition of “performance” in future licensing legislation, to take into account the full range of activity children now take part in, such as reality TV.

Inflexible rules

Current rules define performing as acting, dancing in a ballet or taking part in a musical… Continue reading