The Scottish Government will propose a bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12, the early years minister has announced.

Mark McDonald told MSPs on Thursday it is the "right time" for the move.

Children aged eight and over can currently be referred to children's hearings systems and end up with a criminal record, although those under 12 cannot be prosecuted through the courts.

If the proposed legislation is passed, children would not get a criminal record until the age of 12.

The decision follows the recommendation of an advisory group in 2015 which backed raising the age of criminal responsibility.

McDonald said: "I acknowledge that some will be concerned at the change and its impact.

"What should reassure them is that children and young people want this, victims' groups want it, police and prosecutors want it and the United Nations has called on us to do it.

"This reform signals our commitment to a smart, evidence-led and rights-proofed approach."

He added: "It marks a major step forward in fulfilling a promise to our own young people - to be genuine corporate parents by treating them as children first and acknowledging that in most cases, it is unmet needs which give rise to harmful deeds.

"We have listened to children's experiences, we have considered the evidence, we have taken on board the views of victims and the expertise of justice agencies, and we have a vision of the kind of Scotland we aspire to be.

"This is emphatically the right time and the right approach to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

"I look forward to working with members across the chamber to deliver this reform in time for our Year of Young People in 2018."

The announcement was welcomed by opposition MSPs in the chamber.

Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Ross said: "The Law Society has emphasised that raising the age of criminal responsibility would bring it into line with the age of criminal prosecution, and this seems a sensible approach to create coherence and consistence in the law.

"We on these benches will wait to see the full details of the government's proposed legislation.

"I also welcome the minister's sensitivity over the concerns that some will have regarding this proposal to change the law."

Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker said: "I welcome the announcement today that the minimum age of criminal responsibility will be raised to 12.

"From the advisory group to the consultation submissions to the minister today, the argument has been persuasively made for such a raise and he has the support of Scottish Labour in taking this forward."

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur said his party "warmly welcomed" the decision and Green MSP John Finnie called for more help for agencies to work together under any new legislation.