Overview

This bill proposes to increase 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 legally responsible for crimes.

Description

Key Changes

The bill amends the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Specifically, it changes the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years. This means that children under the age of 12 will no longer be prosecuted for committing crimes. The effective date will be set by the Secretary of State.

Geographical Scope

The bill applies only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. However, implementing the changes may involve costs related to training for law enforcement and the justice system to adapt to the new age threshold and potentially increased support services for children in conflict with the law. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Children aged 10-11: They would no longer face criminal prosecution for their actions.
• Law enforcement agencies (Police): Will need to adapt their procedures and training to reflect the changed age of criminal responsibility.
• The Youth Justice System: This system will see a shift in the types of cases it handles, focusing more on support and intervention for younger children.
• Social services: May see an increased demand for support and intervention services for children who would previously have entered the justice system.

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