Written question asked by Tom Levitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 April 2010. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Thursday, 8 April 2010 on behalf of the Minister for the Olympics.

Olympic Games 2012: Voluntary Work

Question: To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will take steps to reduce the minimum age for Olympic volunteers from 18 to 16 years.

Answer: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited (LOCOG) is responsible for the London 2012 Volunteer Programme, to provide up to 70,000 volunteers for the Games. LOCOG has set the lower age limit for the programme at 18 after considering extensive legal advice and practical operational constraints at games-time, which include: the number of hours under 18s can legally work; the associated management to comply with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006; and, the commitment of volunteers to undertake a set number of shifts that can finish late at night.LOCOG's Get Set education programme provides an excellent route for those under 18 to get involved in 2012-inspired activity, as do Inspire Mark projects and London 2012 Open Weekend events held in communities across the UK.

Secondary information