TEENAGERS may be the latest victims of job cuts, as the number of employment permits for under 16s issued in Lincolnshire has declined by almost 1,000.

Employers in Lincolnshire are legally required to apply for an employment permit from the county council if they have a young person aged between 13 and 16 on staff.

But new figures brought to light after a Freedom of Information request show the number of employment permits applied for has declined over the past five years.

In 2005/06, Lincoln- shire County Council issued 1,301 employment permits, which fell by almost a half to 699 in 2006/07.

This figure fell once more to 624 in 2007/08 and further to 535 in 2008/09.

The total of employment permits issued so far this year is just 348.

There is a wealth of legislation governing the employment of young people under 16 – designed to protect them.

It is against the law for any child aged 13, but still of compulsory school age, to work without an employment permit.

Before issuing an employment permit, Lincolnshire County Council will check the type of work and hours the young person will be working and make sure they comply with employment regulations.

Young people must not work before 7am or after 7pm, nor can they work for more than one hour before school.

They must not work in occupations prohibited by other legislation, such as pubs, petrol stations, betting shops, scrap metal sales, or house- to-house charitable collections.

Lincolnshire County Council cites jobs such as delivering newspapers, office work, shampooing or sweeping hair in a salon, or serving tables as acceptable employment opportunities for young people.