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Age of Criminal Responsibility

Asked by Nick TimothyConservativeMinistry of JusticeTabled Answered 9 July 2026UIN 13985

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old following the Bar Council's recommendation.

Answered by Jake Richards

I am grateful to the Bar Council for their work on this important and complex issue and will consider their findings carefully.

We currently have no plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old. We have been clear that any future decisions in this area will be taken with care, guided by expert evidence, and have the public and victims’ best interests at its heart.

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