The Latest Breaking News from Sentencing Council

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to introduce legislation to block the changes

Concerns over sentencing guidelines are genuine but government also hopes to win admirers with tough attitude

Shabana Mahmood threatened to change the law if necessary after the ‘disappointing’ response.

Esther McVey drew comparisons to the Government’s recent decision to abolish NHS England.

Exclusive: Leading charities call on Labour to change the law

Robert Jenrick’s Bill proposed that the Sentencing Council be prevented from issuing guidelines without the consent of the Secretary of State.

In echoes of last summer’s riots, the government is again being accused of enabling a “two-tier” justice system in the UK. The current row is over new guidance published by the Sentencing Council, the independent public body that advises judges and magistrates on sentencing.

Comes as Sentencing Council write a letter angrily rejecting minister’s claim that they have created a ‘two tier’ justice system

The guidelines say courts should always order a pre-sentence report when considering a prison term ‘unless it considers that it is unnecessary’.

Prime minister says countries will have to defend a peace deal, if one happens, as he takes questions at a defence factory

Changes to sentencing guidance will also apply to mothers of children under one year old