Got a creative project? Has something inspired you? Wanting to build something of your own? This is your plain-English guide to what you are allowed to do, what you get paid, and what keeps you safe while you build.
Got a creative project? Something inspired you? Wanting to build something? Your plain guide to what's allowed, pay, and staying safe while you build.
Got a project? What's allowed, pay, safety.
Build something. Know the rules.
When You Can Start Building
When You Can Start Building
When You Can Start Building
When You Can Start
In the UK, the rules depend on your age. Here is what you need to know in plain words.
UK rules depend on your age. Plain words here.
UK rules by age. Plain words.
Rules by age.
Under thirteen: you cannot legally work in most jobs.Under thirteen: no legal work.Under thirteen: no work.No work under thirteen.
Thirteen and over: you can do light work — like a paper round — outside school hours.Thirteen plus: light work. Paper round. Outside school hours.Thirteen plus: light work. Paper round.Light work at thirteen.
School age: no more than two hours on a school day, and not before seven in the morning or after seven at night.School age: two hours max on school days. Not before seven am or after seven pm.School age: two hours school days. Seven am to seven pm.Two hours on school days.
Sixteen and over: you can work full-time hours, but there are still rules about night work and breaks.Sixteen plus: full-time hours. Still rules on nights and breaks.Sixteen plus: full hours. Rules on breaks.Full hours at sixteen.
Your Rights While You Build
Your Rights While You Build
Your Rights While You Build
Your Rights
You must get at least the National Minimum Wage for your age. No one can pay you less.You get National Minimum Wage for your age. No less.Minimum Wage for your age. No less.Minimum Wage. No less.
You get rest breaks. If you work more than four hours, you get a break.Rest breaks. Work more than four hours? You get a break.Rest breaks. Four hours plus: break.Breaks if over four hours.
You cannot be made to work during school hours if you are still at school.Cannot work during school hours if at school.No work during school hours.No work in school hours.
You have the right to a safe workplace. If something feels wrong, you can tell someone.Right to a safe workplace. Something wrong? Tell someone.Safe workplace. Tell someone if wrong.Safe workplace.
Your Money
Your Money
Your Money
Your Money
When your project starts earning, it helps to know where your money goes. Keep it simple.
Earning? Know where money goes. Keep it simple.
Earning? Know where money goes. Simple.
Know where money goes.
Some of your pay might go to tax. If you earn under a certain amount, you get it back.Some pay goes to tax. Earn under a certain amount? Get it back.Some pay to tax. Under limit? Get it back.Tax might come back.
Save a little if you can. Even small amounts add up over time.Save a little if you can. Small amounts add up.Save a little. Adds up.Save a little.
Do not lend money you cannot afford to lose. Your money is yours.Do not lend money you cannot lose. Your money is yours.Do not lend money you cannot lose.Your money is yours.
Selling Your Own Work
Selling Your Own Work
Selling Your Own Work
Selling Your Work
A lot of young people make and sell their own things — art, crafts, baked goods, buttons, commissions. It is allowed, at any age. Here is the practical side in plain words.
Lots of young people make and sell their own things. Allowed, at any age. Practical side in plain words.
Make and sell your own things. Allowed at any age. Plain words here.
Selling is allowed at any age.
The first one thousand pounds you earn from your own project in a year is yours, tax-free. That is called the trading allowance.First one thousand pounds a year is yours, tax-free. The trading allowance.First one thousand pounds: tax-free. Trading allowance.First £1,000 is tax-free.
Most payment apps and online marketplaces need you to be 18 to hold the account. Until then, a trusted grown-up can hold the account with you.Most payment apps need you to be 18. A trusted grown-up can hold the account until then.Payment apps need 18. Grown-up can hold it until then.A grown-up holds the account until 18.
Contracts you sign under 18 usually need a grown-up to sign with you. That is not about you being trusted — it is the law protecting you.Under-18 contracts usually need a grown-up to sign too. The law protecting you, not distrust.Under-18 contracts: grown-up signs too. Law protects you.The law protects you.
Keep a simple record of what you sell and what you earn. A notebook is enough. It saves worry later.Keep a simple record of sales and earnings. A notebook is enough.Record sales and earnings. Notebook is enough.Note your sales.
Never share your home address, your school, or your full name publicly when you sell. Meet buyers in a public place, with a trusted adult.Never share your address, school or full name publicly. Meet buyers in public, with a trusted adult.No address, school or full name publicly. Public meets with a grown-up.Keep your details private.
If a buyer or a 'business opportunity' pushes you, rushes you, or makes you feel uneasy, that is a warning sign. Your protection tools here cover exactly that.A buyer or 'opportunity' that pushes or rushes you is a warning sign. Your protection tools cover that.Pushy buyer or 'opportunity' = warning sign. Protection tools cover it.Pushy is a warning sign.
Build Something of Your Own
Build Something of Your Own
Build Something of Your Own
Build Something
Got a creative project, or something you want to build? Sell things you make, offer a service, or start something small. That is a real path — and the whole guide to running it lives right here, in your edition.
Got a project? Sell things you make, or offer a service. Real path. The whole guide is here, in your edition.
Got a project? Sell things, offer a service. Real path. Guide is here.
Build something. Guide is here.
Get Set Up takes four things and saves your progress. The full guide covers agreements, getting paid, saying no, tax, and where to get help — all in plain words.
Get Set Up: four things, saved progress. Full guide: agreements, getting paid, saying no, tax, help. Plain words.
Get Set Up: four things. Full guide: agreements, pay, saying no, tax, help.
Someone agreed to pay you for your work? Philter reads their message, lifts the hours, day rates, half-days and costs out of it, and builds a proper invoice for you — with the tax and VAT worked out. You check it, you send it.
They agreed to pay? Philter reads their message, lifts the numbers, builds the invoice. Tax and VAT worked out. You check it, you send it.
They agreed to pay? Paste their message. Invoice built. Tax worked out.
Building something is about learning what works for you. If it feels wrong, too much, or unsafe, you are allowed to step back. Your wellbeing comes first.
Building is about learning. Feels wrong or unsafe? Step back. Wellbeing first.