Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Correspondence from Jake Richards MP, Minister for Sentencing, dated 18 May 2026: Youth Justice White Paper
From: Justice Committee
Summary
Minister Jake Richards writes to the Justice Committee Chair enclosing an embargoed copy of the Youth Justice White Paper 'Cutting Youth Crime. Changing Young Lives', published 18 May 2026. The White Paper sets out a comprehensive reform programme for England and Wales youth justice, prioritising early intervention, reducing unnecessary custody, improving outcomes for vulnerable children, and tackling racial disproportionality and emerging risks including serious violence, exploitation and online harms.
Key findings
- Government commits to reduce custodial remand population by 25% this Parliament through funding reform and community alternatives, backed by £5m investment
- Youth Intervention Courts to launch with at least one operational by spring 2027; fundamental reform of out-of-court resolution framework to be proposed autumn 2026
- Turaround early intervention programme to receive guaranteed £15.4m annual funding for three years; Youth Justice Innovation Fund of £1.5m over 2027/28–2028/29
- Black children represent 9% of arrests and 12% of sentences/cautions despite being 6% of population; 26% of custodial remands; White Paper addresses 'adultification bias' and racial disproportionality
- Youth Custody Transformation Plan to be published autumn 2026 outlining transition from large centralised institutions to smaller regional therapeutic settings over ten years
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Jake Richards MP, Andy Slaughter MP, David Lammy MP, David Ormerod, Justice Select Committee, Youth Justice Board, Ministry of Justice, Welsh Government
Notable line
“… not criminalising children does not mean failing to intervene …”
Key Quotes
“Around eighty per cent of prolific adult offenders first entered the justice system as children. If we want fewer adult offenders, and fewer victims, we must intervene earlier and more effectively”
“By contrast, intervening early, building trusted relationships with professionals, strengthening families, improving school attendance and tackling the causes of offending all reduce reoffending and cut crime.”
“… not criminalising children does not mean failing to intervene, and we must remain alert to the risk of perverse incentives created by an overly narrow focus on reducing first-time entrants to the youth justice system . Benign neglect, however well-intentioned, is still neglect.”
“Too many young people are being locked out of education, employment and other opportunities long after they have changed course. That is not in their interests, and it is not in the public interest either.”
“Black children, who make up just 6% of the 10-17 population, 12 represent 9% of arrests, 12% of sentences and cautions, 26% of custodial remands and 22% of the youth custody population.”
“This is not a choice between punishment and rehabilitation, or between being "tough" or "soft" on crime. It is about what works: protecting the public, cutting reoffending, Cutting Youth Crime. Changing Young Lives.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗