Parents could be jailed for their children's crimes under government plans - as Lammy praises 'long overdue' justice shake-up
As part of the plans, parents and carers could face greater responsibility for their children who commit crimes and cause anti-social behaviour
Parents and guardians could face jail time if their children break the law, David Lammy has revealed, as the government unveiled a "long overdue" shake-up of the youth justice system.
Listen to this article
The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary are hoping to prevent children from entering into a life of crime, introducing a series of reforms as part of the new Youth Justice White Paper published on Monday.
Under the plans, parents and carers could face greater responsibility for their children who commit crimes and cause anti-social behaviour.
Ministers plan to strengthen parenting orders, which currently mean parents can be compelled to address their children’s behaviour through counselling and guidance, or can lead to fines.
The Ministry of Justice said the use of such orders has declined dramatically over the last two decades, from more than a thousand in 2009/10, to 33 in 2022/23.
Asked by Nick whether parents would face jail time under the new proposals, David Lammy admitted they could "in extreme cases," adding it is "important that judges have full power to do what is necessary".
Youth behaviour was a comely mentioned topic on doorsteps, Mr Lammy said, as the reforms are "long overdue".
Read More: Watch: Moment alleged killer of Ian Watkins asks to play sudoku after prison stabbing
Mr Lammy said: "We want to keep young people out of prison. Prison is a bad place for young people to be. We want to deal with them in the community where we can, so we've got to give judges the powers to do that."
Alongside the greater role for parents, Mr Lammy also plans to pilot new youth intervention courts, which will bring together judges and support services to tackle issues which are drawing young people into crime.
The courts will also supervise young offenders, and give them tailored health and education interventions to help them avoid a life of crime.
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.”
Elsewhere in the plans championed by Mr Lammy are proposals to invest £15.4 million per year in a programme which will help 12,000 children at risk of entering the youth justice system over the next three years.
The White Paper could also lead to the end of people having to disclose criminal convictions from when they were children throughout their lives.
Offences which took place in childhood have hampered the life chances of some people even into their 60s.
Mr Lammy plans to launch a consultation on childhood criminal records which could end the lifelong disclosure requirement.
Justice minister Jake Richards said: “Put simply, the youth justice system is not working – not for children, victims and communities blighted by crime.
“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.”
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.”
The Conservatives meanwhile cast doubt on the Government’s ability to reform youth justice.
Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, 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.
“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.”