Overview

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

Description

Key Changes

The bill amends the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Specifically, it replaces the current age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 10 years old, with 12 years old. This change applies only to England and Wales.

Implementation

The bill allows the Secretary of State to determine the exact commencement date of the new law through regulations.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any increase or decrease in government spending. The impact on government spending is likely to be indirect and would depend on the costs associated with implementing the changes, such as potential adjustments to the youth justice system.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily affect:

• Children aged 10 and 11: They will no longer be subject to criminal prosecution.
• The Youth Justice System: This system will need to adapt to the change, potentially requiring adjustments to resources and procedures.
• Police and other law enforcement: They will need to adapt their procedures for dealing with children under 12.

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