Age of Criminal Responsibility

Lord Berkeley of Knighton Excerpts

Wednesday 21st January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Levitt (Lab)]

We can of course provide such statistics as we hold, although I think those on class might be a little more difficult to define than, for example, those on race and gender. It is important to recognise that there are issues relating to children from particular parts of society who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and the Government are extremely keen to continue the work of the previous Government to ensure that they are diverted, so that they can lead productive lives in the future.

[Lord Berkeley of Knighton (CB)]

My Lords, joint enterprise has given rise to a certain notoriety in the criminal justice system. Given the way that gangs of children tend to go around together, is not the age of 10 a real problem? Children of 10 can be convicted of murder simply because one teenager further up the pecking order murders someone.

[Baroness Levitt (Lab)]

The noble Lord refers to the law in relation to joint enterprise. The Law Commission is currently looking at all cases of murder that include joint enterprise and will report in due course. The Government will consider that very seriously because we understand entirely the point the noble Lord is making.