"Research has shown that the average age at which children started work in early 19th-century Britain was 10 years old, but that this varied widely between regions. In industrial areas, children started work on average at eight and a half years old."
> Reformers took up the issue of the working hours from the end of the 18th century onwards. Their campaigns resulted in the passage of legislation in 1802 and 1819 regulating the working hours of children in workhouses and textile factories to 12 hours a day.
> In 1833, the Factory Act banned children under 9 from working in the textile industry, and the working hours of 10-13 year olds was limited to 48 hours a week, while 14-18 year olds were limited to 69 hours a week, and 12 hours a day. Government factory inspectors were appointed to enforce the law.
