Parents in England and Wales could be fined or jailed for child’s crimes, minister says
Summary
The government in England and Wales plans to strengthen laws that hold parents responsible if their children commit crimes. Parents could face fines, lose benefits, or even jail time in rare cases if they fail to help control their child’s behavior.Key Facts
- Parents may lose benefits, be fined up to £1,000, or go to jail in extreme cases if their children commit crimes.
- Parenting orders require parents to attend counseling or residential courses to address their child’s behavior.
- The youth justice minister said jail would be used only in the most extreme cases and judges will decide the punishment.
- Experts say parenting orders have not been effective and may hurt poor families by adding financial pressure.
- The use of parenting orders has declined from over 1,000 in 2009/10 to just 33 in 2022/23.
- Courts must consider parenting orders for children under 16 convicted of offenses and may consider them for 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Breaching a parenting order is a criminal offense with a maximum fine of £1,000.
- Some researchers say support for parents should be voluntary and question the effectiveness of parenting orders.
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