A Bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility
House of Lords
28 April 2022
This bill would raise the age at which someone can be charged with a crime. It aims to keep very young children out of the criminal justice system and instead deal with offences through child welfare and support services. The exact new age will be decided as the bill moves through Parliament.
The bill is at its first reading in the House of Lords, with no detailed scrutiny yet. The next steps are Second Reading and further committee consideration, subject to Parliamentary timetable.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 15 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 2021-2022 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
