- Conference
- 2006 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 28 February 2006
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that there is a lack of consistency about the legal rights for young people when they reach the age of 16. At the age of 16, a person is considered old enough to pay taxes, to leave school, to marry and to join the armed forces, but not old enough to vote for the people who spend the taxes or to send them to war. They are also treated differently to older workers under the minimum wage legislation, receiving a guarantee for 16 and 17 year olds of just £3.00 per hour, whereas 18-21 year olds minimum wage is £4.10 per hour, and for those over 21 it is £5.05 per hour.
Conference also notes that even these inconsistencies are further complicated by differences across boundaries within the United Kingdom, for example in Northern Ireland the age of consent is 17. On voting age, the Isle of Man lowered its age from 18 to 16 in February this year.
Conference further notes the creation of the Votes at 16 campaign prior to the last general election, a broad based coalition of groups including the Electoral Reform Society, the National Union of Students, Barnardo’s, the British Youth Council, London Young Labour, YMCA England and a number of mainstream political parties.
Conference believes that this situation must be clarified and harmonised to provide for full adult rights and obligations at age 16.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to:
1)make the case to the membership for full adult rights and obligations at age 16;
2)support the broad-based Votes at 16 campaign;
3)raise the issue through appropriate channels, including the Labour Link.