In a recent proposal, Jake Richards, the youth justice minister, has suggested that parents whose children commit crimes could face consequences such as losing benefits, paying fines, or even being jailed in extreme cases. Richards stated that the youth justice system should hold parents accountable in a "proportionate" way for ensuring their role in keeping communities safe. The government is looking to strengthen and expand "parenting orders," which are legal measures that can require parents or guardians to address their child's behavior through counseling or other interventions. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £1,000. Richards clarified that jail sentences would only be used in the most extreme cases and would be decided by judges. Richards explained to The Times that parenting orders are intended to increase parental involvement in helping young offenders turn their lives around. While there are punitive elements, such as potential fines or benefit reductions, the main aim is to encourage parents to take responsibility for their child's behavior. The government describes this as a "carrot-and-stick" approach, combining incentives with consequences to promote positive change. However, some experts in the criminal justice system have criticized the proposal, arguing that parenting orders are not effective and may unfairly target low-income families. Nikki Rutter, an assistant professor in sociology at Durham University, told the BBC that there is strong evidence showing that parenting orders have not worked well, which is why their use has declined. She warned that increasing fines could worsen poverty, as financial strain is closely linked to criminal behavior. "The more you fine parents, the less money they have, and the deeper the family falls into poverty," Rutter explained. In May, David Lammy, the then justice secretary, said that strengthening parenting orders would ensure that parents and carers face real consequences if they fail to support efforts to address their children’s behavior. However, he added that judges would have the discretion to intervene if a parent was struggling, ensuring the child receives necessary support. Lammy also emphasized that the power to jail parents would be used "very, very rarely." Parenting orders are issued when a child under 16 is convicted of an offense, and courts may also consider them for 16- and 17-year-olds if it would help prevent further crimes. The order can last up to 12 months, and breaking one is a criminal offense with a maximum fine of £1,000. However, government data show a significant drop in the use of these orders, from over 1,000 in 2009/10 to just 33 in 2022/23. Research on their effectiveness remains limited, and some argue that parental involvement should remain voluntary rather than mandatory.