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Written question asked by Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Twycross (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Licensed Premises: Children

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their plans to lower the voting age to 16, whether they plan to amend the definition of children in section 20 of the Licensing Act 2003 on the exhibition of films from a person aged under 18 to a person aged under 16.

Answer

Lowering the voting age will have no impact on the definition of children in the Licensing Act 2003. There is no single definition of the age at which someone becomes an ‘adult’ in the UK; the idea of 18 being the ’standard’ age of adulthood is a misconception. People can work part time from 14, donate blood at 17, and adopt at 21.

Decisions about classifying films are made by the British Board of Film Classification at arm's length from the government to ensure impartiality. The BBFC’s age ratings are continually updated to respond to changing social attitudes towards media content through public consultation and research.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1545
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Children Film Licensed premises
Legislation
Licensing Act 2003
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk