A Bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
2 May 2017
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill would raise the age at which someone can be treated as criminally responsible, meaning very young children would be dealt with under welfare or protection schemes rather than through criminal punishment. It includes related measures to support this change. The bill is a Lords-originating proposal that has been in progress since 2016 and is currently at the second reading stage in the Lords.
Currently in the Lords at the second reading stage. The bill originally appeared in 2016 and has not yet moved to the Commons.
Generated 21 February 2026
9 Jun 2016
First reading took place on 9 June. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2016-2017 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
