Member

However, on Amendments 2 and 3, in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Davies of Gower and Lord Blencathra, we on these Benches take a different view. Lowering the age threshold to either 14 or 16 risks drawing more people unnecessarily into the criminal justice system, without effectively reducing anti-social behaviour. The Liberal Democrats cannot support this. Indeed, we believe that youth diversion should be a statutory duty for young people under 25. This is in all our interests; not only is it more effective in reducing future offending, but it is also much more cost effective—youth work provision costs less than £50,000 per year, compared to £200,000 per year for incarcerating a 16 year-old. It is also notable that nine out of every 10 young people in custody have some form of special educational need, primarily emotional and behavioural needs and dyslexia.