The Latest Breaking News from the Sentencing Council

Sentencing Council refuses to change guidance in ‘two-tier justice’ row

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

The Independent UK · Mar 28, 2025

Government should abolish Sentencing Council, Tory MP suggests

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

Evening Standard · Mar 17, 2025

Ex-minister calls for quangos to face MPs’ scrutiny amid Sentencing Council row

Arm’s-length bodies went ‘rogue’, Sir Christopher Chope told MPs on Friday.

Evening Standard · Mar 14, 2025

Justice secretary set for showdown with judges over sentencing guidelines

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

The Independent UK · Mar 10, 2025

Sentencing Council warns against guidance being ‘dictated’ by ministers

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has written to the independent body to make clear her ‘displeasure’ and call for changes to be reconsidered.

The Independent UK · Mar 10, 2025

Sentence reductions should be less generous if ‘no question of guilt’ – MP

Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox said there should be ‘a range of discounts available’, as opposed to an automatic one-third reduction for guilty pleas.

Evening Standard · Mar 10, 2025

Outrage as 'Two-Tier' Justice System Sparks Fury—Labour Demands Immediate Action

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has called for controversial new sentencing guidelines to be scrapped “as soon as possible.”

The Fashion Central · Mar 9, 2025

Fact check: New sentencing guidelines were written by independent body

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

Evening Standard · Mar 7, 2025

Mahmood to review Sentencing Council’s powers amid ‘two-tier’ justice row

Lord chancellor announces move follows claims that new sentencing rules discriminate against white men

The Guardian - UK · Mar 6, 2025

Justice Secretary threatens to change law in call to reconsider court guidance

The Sentencing Council published new guidelines for courts to follow when imposing community and custodial sentences on Wednesday.

Evening Standard · Mar 6, 2025