Age you can legally leave children home alone in England as hundreds of schools shut early due to 40C heat warning

As hundreds of schools in England and Wales close early due to a 40C heat warning, parents are left scrambling for last-minute childcare, raising questions about when kids can legally be left home alone. In England, children can technically be left alone at the age of 12, but local guidelines often recommend waiting until age 16. This situation highlights the broader challenges of managing unexpected school closures and underscores the need for flexible childcare solutions during extreme weather events.