Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme

05 October 2020 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield

Justice & Courts

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Lee Anderson raised concerns about unduly lenient sentence scheme in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The MP for Ashfield highlighted the importance of the unduly lenient sentence scheme in ensuring criminals receive appropriate sentences for their crimes.
  • The MP praised government initiatives to extend the scheme to cover more serious offences, including sexual and violent crimes.
  • The Minister noted the recent extension of the scheme to include stalking, harassment, and child sexual offences involving indecent images.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield

The MP for Ashfield highlighted the importance of the unduly lenient sentence scheme in ensuring that criminals who receive unjustly light sentences serve time commensurate with their crimes. He praised recent government initiatives to extend the eligibility of this scheme and noted cases where it had successfully increased the severity of sentences for violent and sexual offences, such as rape and child abuse. However, he expressed concern over public confidence in sentencing and called for further expansion of the scheme's scope to cover more crimes involving death and additional sexual offences.

Other contributors (1)
  • Rosie Winterton

    Order was given by Rosie Winterton to clarify procedural rules, reminding Lee Anderson that when an Adjournment debate starts before 10 o'clock, the motion must be moved again.

Government Response

Michael Ellis

The Minister praised the unduly lenient sentence scheme and its importance in ensuring justice for victims of serious crimes. He highlighted the recent extension of the scheme to include a range of additional offences, such as stalking, harassment, and child sexual offences involving indecent images. The Minister provided examples of cases where sentences were successfully increased due to the scheme’s intervention, including the case of Haitch Macklin, who was sentenced to four years instead of 20 months for making indecent images of children. He emphasised that the government is committed to furthering public confidence in sentencing through legislative measures proposed in the sentencing White Paper.

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