In Plain English
AI-generatedThis Bill aims to raise the age at which someone can be charged with a criminal offence. It seeks to stop very young children being treated as criminals and to steer their cases toward welfare‑focused support instead, with the detailed rules to be set out in later stages.
Key Points
- Raises the minimum age for criminal liability
- Shifts responses for younger children from criminal charges to welfare and safeguarding approaches
- Requires changes across police, prosecutors, courts and social services to implement the new approach
- Currently at the second reading in the House of Commons, having originated in the Lords, with further stages to come
- Will affect children and families, as well as professionals in the criminal justice and child welfare systems
Progress
The bill is at the second-reading stage in the House of Commons. It originated in the Lords and will move through committee and further stages for scrutiny and amendment.
Who is affected?
Children and young people who would be under the new age thresholdParents and carersSchools and youth organisationsPolice, prosecutors and the courtsSocial services and child welfare organisationsLegal professionals and charities working with childrenVictims and local communities
Generated 21 February 2026
