Government to introduce legislation to block new sentencing guidelines

New sentencing guidelines that would mean differential treatment for different races and religions will be blocked under new legislation set to be introduced today, the Lord Chancellor has announced.

The government will work with Parliament to fast-track this legislation, which will clarify that guidance relating to sentencing reports should not single out specific cohorts for differential treatment when it comes to ordering Pre-Sentencing Reports, which help judges make decisions on sentencing.

This follows formal objections raised by the Lord Chancellor to the Sentencing Council regarding sections of the guidelines due to come into effect on 1 April.

The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood said: 

These guidelines create a justice system where outcomes could be influenced by race, culture or religion.

This differential treatment is unacceptable - equality before the law is the backbone of public confidence in our justice system.

I will change the law to ensure fairness for all in our courts, and I'm grateful to the Sentencing Council for delaying implementation while Parliament considers the Bill.

The Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill will be introduced into the House of Commons tomorrow, and the Government will seek to get Royal Assent as quickly as possible.  

Further Information

• Lord Chancellor letter to the Sentencing Council: 20 March 2025
• The measures in the Bill will extend and apply to England and Wales only.