Overview

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

Description

The core change introduced by the Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill is an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Specifically, it replaces the current age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 10 years old, with a new age of 12. This alteration signifies that children under the age of 12 will no longer be subject to criminal prosecution for offences they commit.

Geographical Scope and Commencement: The bill applies only to England and Wales. The commencement date will be determined by the Secretary of State through regulations.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any changes to government spending. The potential impact on government spending is indirect and may relate to changes in youth justice services (potentially reduced prosecution costs offset by increased support services for younger children). No specific figures are provided within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily impact:

• Children aged 10 and 11: They would no longer face criminal prosecution for their actions.
• The Youth Justice System: This system will experience a reduction in the number of cases involving children. Resources may be redirected towards alternative support mechanisms for younger children.
• Law enforcement agencies: Policing strategies and procedures for dealing with young people may require adjustments.
• Families and carers of children: The impact on families and carers could be either positive or negative, dependent on the support structures available to them.

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