Parents of children who break the law could face jail under David Lammy’s sweeping youth justice overhaul.
The Justice Secretary has unveiled major reforms that could see parents and guardians face far tougher consequences when their children commit crimes.
Central to the plans is a major strengthening of parenting orders – measures that currently allow courts to force parents into counselling or impose financial penalties.
Under the proposed shake-up, following recommendations linked to the Southport stabbings inquiry, tougher sanctions – including potential custodial sentences – could be introduced for parents of young offenders.
The reforms were laid out in Labour’s new Youth Justice White Paper, which aims to crack down on youth offending while placing greater responsibility on families.
Ministry of Justice figures show parenting orders have collapsed in use, plunging from more than 1,000 in 2009/10 to just 33 in 2022/23.
Mr Lammy said: “Too many young people are being drawn into crime, with devastating consequences for victims, communities and their own futures.
“These reforms lay the foundation to intervene far earlier, support families, and tackle the drivers of offending so fewer young people become trapped in cycles of crime, creating safer streets and fewer victims.”
The Justice Secretary has unveiled major reforms that could see parents and guardians face far tougher consequences
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The White Paper also proposes new specialist youth intervention courts, which would combine judicial oversight with health, education and social support to tackle the root causes of criminal behaviour.
The Government has pledged £15.4million annually over the next three years to help around 12,000 at-risk children avoid entering the justice system.
Labour will also launch a consultation into whether people should continue declaring childhood criminal convictions throughout their adult lives – a move that could offer thousands a fresh start.
Justice minister Jake Richards said: “Put simply, the youth justice system is not working not for children, victims and communities blighted by crime.”
Ministry of Justice figures show parenting orders have collapsed in use
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PAHe added: “These reforms will modernise the system, keep pace with emerging risks and ensure young offenders get the support they need turn their lives around, while improving public safety.”
The Conservatives have blasted the plans, questioning whether Labour is capable of reforming youth justice in Britain.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: “Whatever Labour say today they have already shown they don’t have it in their DNA to be tough on crime.
“They’ve let thousands of prisoners early and abolished short term sentences – so most perpetrators of knife crime who have been sent to prison in the past few years will escape a custodial sentence in future.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said Labour ‘don’t have it in their DNA to be tough on crime’
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REUTERS“This goes to show the problem with this Government is not Starmer – it’s Labour.
“This country needs a strong Conservative government that will back our police, lock up criminals and crack down on crime.”
Meanwhile, Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “As Children’s Commissioner, I have consistently been clear about the need to reform the youth justice system.
“We must build an approach that keeps children safe, diverts them from crime wherever possible, and prioritises meaningful behaviour change.
“Education is central to this. It is the most powerful tool we have to prevent offending in the first place, and it remains vital for those in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) who have already fallen through the cracks.
“I am therefore pleased to welcome the Youth Justice White Paper published today, and that I have been asked to undertake a review of the education children in YOIs receive, with the aim of improving outcomes and giving these children a better chance for the future.”