Child labour dangers ‘on rise’ in UK

Britain’s record on protecting children from workplace exploitation worsened over the past year, new research claims.

The UK was rated “medium risk” in the annual child labour index compiled by Bath-based global analysts Maplecroft.

It rose 12 places to be ranked 142nd this year, ahead of low-risk countries including Hong Kong (160th), France (163rd), Germany and Ireland (jointly at 175th) and Australia (185th). Maplecroft said Britain fared worse in the index than other western nations because large numbers of children were trafficked to and within the UK for labour and sexual exploitation.

The survey of 197 countries was topped by Myanmar, North Korea, Somalia and Sudan in joint first place, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.

A total of 76 nations were judged to pose an “extreme risk” to children’s welfare, up more than 10 per cent from 68 last year.

The analysts blamed deteriorating security, resulting in greater numbers of children fleeing their homes and becoming internally displaced or refugees, and the global economic downturn.

The research also highlighted the prevalence of child labour in rapidly growing emerging countries including India (27th), China (36th), Vietnam (37th) and Brazil (54th).