Parents could face jail time

Jake Richards, the youth justice minister, says parents whose children commit crimes could be fined, lose benefits, or even be jailed in extreme cases. Judges would decide sentences on a case-by-case basis.

“Parents would only face jail 'in the most extreme cases' and sentences would be at judges' discretion.”

Parenting orders get tougher

The government plans to strengthen parenting orders, which force parents to attend counselling or residential courses. Current breaches carry fines up to one thousand pounds.

Carrot and stick approach

Richards described the changes as a 'carrot-and-stick' strategy to involve parents more in turning around young offenders. The stick includes potential jail time, benefit cuts, and fines.

“Parenting orders are going to make sure that parents are more involved in the process by which we try to turn around young offenders.”

Experts say orders don't work

Criminal justice researchers argue parenting orders lack evidence of effectiveness. Police know they're not effective measures, and use has dropped from over one thousand orders in 2009-10 to just 33 in 2022-23.

“We have a huge amount of evidence that parenting orders aren't effective. It's why we're seeing the decrease in them.”

Fines deepen poverty trap

Nikki Rutter, a Durham University expert, warns that increasing fines on parents will worsen poverty in communities. Poverty is linked to criminal activity, so fining struggling families could make things worse.

“The more you're fining parents, the less money they've got. The less money the family have, we're seeing a further dive into poverty.”

Limited evidence for effectiveness

Parenting orders were introduced by New Labour in nineteen ninety-eight, but a Youth Justice Journal report found limited research on their impact. Experts argue parent engagement should remain voluntary.