Overview

This bill proposes to raise the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales from 10 to 12 years old. This means children under 12 would no longer be held criminally liable for their actions.

Description

The primary change introduced by this bill is to amend the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Specifically, it replaces the current age of criminal responsibility (10 years) with 12 years. This means children under the age of 12 will no longer be subject to the criminal justice system. The bill applies only to England and Wales. The commencement date will be set by the Secretary of State through statutory instrument.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify the cost or savings associated with the change. Indirectly, it could lead to increased spending on alternative support services for children under 12 who currently enter the criminal justice system, or reduced spending on the prosecution and incarceration of children. Precise figures are not available in the provided text.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily affect:
• **Children aged 10 and 11:** They will no longer be subject to criminal prosecution.
• **The police and criminal justice system:** Their workload may change, potentially requiring increased investment in alternative youth support services.
• **Families and social workers:** May see an increased demand for support services for children previously handled by the criminal justice system.
• **Victims of crime:** The bill's impact on their access to justice in cases involving 10-11-year-olds will require careful consideration.

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