Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Raises the minimum age of criminal responsibility to a higher level than today.
• Offences by those below the new age would be addressed through non-criminal routes (diversion, welfare or child-protection measures) rather than criminal proceedings.
• At the Lords' second reading, the bill is in the early stages and would need to pass through both Houses and receive royal assent to become law.
• Implementing the change would require reforms across policing, prosecutions, courts, youth services, local authorities, and safeguarding services.

Progress

The bill is currently at the second reading in the Lords. If it progresses, it will move to the committee stage and then to the House of Commons for consideration.