Are employers allowed to ask these questions?

[Alongcomesdc2]

I applied for a job on the weekend by emailing my CV as requested.

I've had a reply today asking me lots of questions (including what is my name it's on my CV!) Such as do I have children, how old are they, are they in school yet. Is this allowed?!

[lljkk]

No, not allowed.
Doesn't sound like an employer worth having.

[MummyBex1985]

Is it allowed? Yes.

Are they allowed to refuse to hire you based on your answers? No.

[TheGoldenApplesOfTheSun]

Not allowed at all! Not related to job, source of potential discrimination

[MummyBex1985]

Assuming every candidate is asked the same questions, of course...

[flowery]

There is no list of questions employers are not 'allowed' to ask. What they are not allowed to do is discriminate, and by asking those questions they are making themselves vulnerable to a discrimination claim. Even if they are 'fair' by asking all candidates those questions, it is unlikely they have a perfectly valid reason for asking and also unlikely they would give no weight to the answers because why ask otherwise?
I'd give them a swerve if I were you.

[eurochick]

I agree with flowery.

[Stillunexpected]

What kind of job is this? The questions sound very dubious. Are they of any relevance to the role at all? Is this an established company or a small trader?

[Hereward1332]

The real shame is that their discrimination is working as it's put you off applying.

In a hypothetical world, where you didn't actually need a job, I would be tempted to lie and dare them to sack or discipline me for having children when I started work.

[redhat]

They can ask whatever they like. Flowery is correct. )I'm an employment lawyer)

[Alongcomesdc2]

It's for an admin job. They also asked my age too. The way it was worded was odd:
*Do you have any children?
*If yes!!! How many?

Why the need for !!! If the answer to the question was yes?

I'll def be avoiding them. Thanks for your replies