Speaking to CYP Now, Lib Dem peer Lord McNally, a former justice minister who took over as chair of the YJB last month, revealed that he is in favour of a review of the age that children become criminally responsible for their actions.
Asked if he would support a review of the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales, McNally said: "This is a personal opinion - yes, I would".
Children in England and Wales can currently be charged for criminal offences from the age of 10 – the youngest age within the European Union.
The existing level has drawn criticism from pressure groups, MPs and the United Nations, but the government has consistently refused to consider raising it.
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