Changing the Age When Children Can Be Charged with Crimes

This bill would change the age at which children can be charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. Currently, children aged 10 and over can be prosecuted in criminal courts. The bill would raise this minimum age, though the exact new age limit is not specified in the available information. Children below the new age limit would not face criminal prosecution, even if they commit offences. The government says this would bring England and Wales closer to international standards, as most other countries have higher ages of criminal responsibility. Critics argue that removing criminal consequences for younger children could reduce deterrence and leave victims without justice. The bill would affect how the justice system deals with child offenders and could change how schools, social services, and police respond to serious behaviour by children.

• 1Would raise the minimum age at which children can be charged with crimes
• 2Currently children aged 10 and over can face criminal prosecution
• 3Children below the new age limit would not go through criminal courts
• 4Government says this aligns with international practice in other countries
• 5Opponents worry it could reduce consequences for serious offences by children