British ministers urged to issue guidance on unattended children.

[pegasus]

What about at 3?

Or at 2 ?

[misty]

If a law is required regarding the minimum age at which a child can be left unattended, then another law is also required for the minimum age of the carer of such child or children. 

[Mr Gray]

If a law is required regarding the minimum age at which a child can be left unattended, then another law is also required for the minimum age of the carer of such child or children.

So how big a problem is this...how many children have been hurt due their parents popping to the shops...are there not much more important things the govt need to address

[Alice Purjorick]

So how big a problem is this...how many children have been hurt due their parents popping to the shops...are there not much more important things the govt need to address

Yes!
There are guidelines provided by The NSPCC which are adequate and if flouted to the point of endangering children existing laws may be invoked to "punish" transgressors. Or the local authority will use its far reaching powers as it deems appropriate. The presence of a law will be no deterrent to certain sections of the community. The problem with government is that it always wants to be seen as rough tough rootin' tootin' shootin' introducing new laws that are unnecessary to satisfy what it perceives as public opinion.
Why don't I go around killing people? because I have no desire to not because there is a law to punish me if I do.
If someone really wanted to commit a crime or take a risk then no law would stop them.

[jassi]

One of the problems of having guidelines rather than laws is the inconsistency with which they are applied.
One person can be taken to court for leaving a child alone for, while another isn't.

[Eleanor]

One of the problems of having guidelines rather than laws is the inconsistency with which they are applied.
One person can be taken to court for leaving a child alone for, while another isn't.

Probably because every case is different.  And you can't legislate on that.

[jassi]

No, that's what judges are for.

[Mr Gray]

No, that's what judges are for.

judges don't decide which cases go to court

[jassi]

The point is that if there was a specific law, all cases  that broke it would go to court.

[Mr Gray]

The point is that if there was a specific law, all cases  that broke it would go to court.

it would take a great dealof time and money to change the law...what's the evidence it needs changing...how amny children are being harmed...how many parents will be turned into criminals

[jassi]

it would take a great dealof time and money to change the law...what's the evidence it needs changing...how amny children are being harmed...how many parents will be turned into criminals

I'm not arguing that it wouldn't - when has cost ever stopped something that a government wished to do.
Perhaps these parents should be turned into criminals if they do something against the law.

[Mr Gray]

I'm not arguing that it wouldn't - when has cost ever stopped something that a government wished to do.
Perhaps these parents should be turned into criminals if they do something against the law.

there are far more children being harmed whilst in the care of adults...and whilst being babysat and in the care of nurseries

[jassi]

So?  Is that a reason for not having an age law?

[Mr Gray]

So?  Is that a reason for not having an age law?

you are advocating a nanny state...do we need an age law for going on a bus unaccompanied..should all babysitters be criminally vetted

[jassi]

Perhaps the issue of babysitters might be worth consideration - there have been a number of nasty cases where children have been harmed by their childminder.
No doubt if you were running a professional babysitting service, you would need to be vetted.