Sentencing guidelines bill debated in the Lords

The Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill aims to prevent sentencing guidelines from referring to personal characteristics such as race, religion or belief, and cultural background in their guidance regarding when a pre-sentence report should be requested.

Debate on the draft law 

During second reading, members discussed the main topics in the bill and drew attention to concerns or specific areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed.               

Members speaking  

Lord Timpson (Labour), Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

Contributing members included:

• The Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops), Anglican Bishop to HM Prisons
• Lord Hope of Craighead (Crossbench), former deputy president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
• Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames (Liberal Democrat), practising barrister and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Justice
• Lord Wolfson of Tredegar (Conservative), Shadow Attorney General.

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording. 
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information 

• Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing. 

Next steps

Committee stage, the first chance for line by line examination of the bill, is scheduled for Monday 19 May.

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