Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Dangerous Offenders: Increased Sentences

Tuesday 20 February 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Measures in the Sentencing Bill will ensure severe punishment for those who commit the worst crimes.
  • The Government is increasing sentences for domestic homicide following the Clare Wade review.
  • The Minister agrees that society's confidence in the judicial system is influenced by how dangerous offenders are treated.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nigel Mills Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the sentencing for serious crimes and seeks to understand steps being taken by the government.

Question

What steps he is taking to increase sentences for dangerous offenders. The measures in the Sentencing Bill will ensure that those who commit the worst crimes receive severe punishment.

Answer from Gareth Bacon

Measures in the Sentencing Bill will ensure that those who commit the worst crimes will receive the most severe punishment. The Bill creates a duty for the court to impose a whole life order for murders currently subject to a whole life order starting point and for those that involve sexual or sadistic conduct, unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Bill will also ensure that convicted rapists must serve 100% of their custodial term in prison, followed by a licence period.

Answered
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Q2 Nigel Mills Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP highlights two cases involving brutal murders of women by partners or ex-partners and seeks information on government actions based on the Clare Wade review.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome those measures. The two worst cases I have had to deal with as an MP was where women were brutally murdered by a partner or ex-partner. What are the Government going to do in response to the Clare Wade review to increase sentences for people who commit those awful, vile offences?

Answer from Gareth Bacon

My hon. Friend is quite right to raise the issue of domestic homicide. We are determined to act to protect the victims of domestic abuse and ensure that the appropriate punishments are in place for perpetrators. That is why, following Clare Wade KC's review, we are increasing sentences by introducing statutory aggravating factors for murders that are preceded by controlling or coercive behaviour, involve overkill, or are connected with the end of a relationship.

Answered
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Q3 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP discusses the importance of public confidence in the judicial system, particularly concerning how dangerous offenders are treated.

Question

Does the Minister agree that wider society's confidence in the judicial system is often determined by how dangerous offenders are treated? Does he agree that it is vital that we get the message out there, both to wider society and to potential offenders, that there is the ultimate price to pay, which is a long sentence in prison for criminal offences such as these?

Answer from Gareth Bacon

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I agree with those sentiments entirely.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not addressed in terms of concrete actions or commitments, only agreement.

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