Boy soldiers banned from conflict

The armed forces can still recruit and train 16-year-olds

Britain's youngest soldiers will no longer be allowed to go into battle, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Although the armed forces will still be allowed to train recruits from the age of 16, they will not be able to send them into areas of conflict until they turn 18.

The move comes as a voluntary United Nations protocol on young personnel, signed by Britain in September 2000, is due be put before Parliament after Easter.

It has been welcomed by campaigners, who say for too long Britain has been "isolated" in Europe over the question.

Personnel shortage

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said it already avoids sending under-18s into conflict "where feasible".

The MoD said 16-year-olds will still be recruited to the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force so they can go through training.

It considers new recruits as vital because of a current shortage of servicemen and women.

"A young radio operator or technician on a ship that urgently went into a battle zone could remain on board to fulfil a particular role

MoD spokesman

More than one-third of personnel sign-up before they reach adulthood.

Rachel Brett, of the International Coalition to Stop Child Soldiers, said they had evidence the UK "routinely" deploys under-18s.

"It is very notable how isolated within the EU the UK has been," she told the BBC's Today programme.

"All the other countries in Europe now accept the fundamental idea that under-18s should not be put in combat."

She called for the practice to be enshrined in UK law.

"It would make it clear they are serious about this," she added.

Kosovo conflict

Despite the current policy of keeping those under 18 out of hostilities, the MoD spokesman admitted it was not always possible.

He said: "A young radio operator or technician on a ship that urgently went into a battle zone could remain on board to fulfil a particular role.

"The protocol is really aimed at countries that forcibly use child soldiers - not countries like Britain where deciding to join the armed forces is one's choice."

Although around 500 British soldiers under 18 served during the Gulf War only two 17 year-olds were sent into action during the Kosovo conflict.

It is thought some under-18s have been withdrawn from the contingent being sent to battle al-Qaeda and Taleban forces in Afghanistan.