1st Report - Disclosure of youth criminal records

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government welcomes the report but, with litigation on the disclosure regime pending, says it will consider the Committee's recommendations on filtering, discretion and rehabilitation periods following the conclusion of that litigation, while disagreeing on some points.

• On the filtering regime, the proposed review, additional police discretion and a review process, the Government says "We will consider these recommendations following the conclusion of the litigation". A Supreme Court hearing is "expected in June 2018".
• The Government "does not agree with the principle of a presumption against disclosure of intelligence information relating to under 18s", citing a "restrictive legislative test" and a "robust disputes process".
• It "agrees that we should ensure children and young people understand their rights" on disclosure and accepts guidance "could be improved". The Ministry of Justice is "currently exploring ways" to refresh guidance and online content.
• It does not agree there is no rationale for the current rehabilitation periods, and will consider the recommendation on reducing them "alongside the others". It "refute[s]" the conclusion that responsibility should sit in a single department.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error