Contributions
882 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his engagement on the issue of whole life orders, and I acknowledge that the Government have now stepped forward with their own…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, I will speak briefly in support of Amendment 58, which introduces an annual report on prison capacity. This is an issue that we pressed in Committee and I am grateful to…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing Bill06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillI am obliged to the noble Lord. It is intended that the court should have regard only to the two elements that are referred to therein.06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, Amendments 68 and indeed 69 concern transparency in sentencing. We listened carefully to the Government’s response in Committee and both these amendments have been…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, this amendment concerns an exemption to the presumption of suspended sentences for those convicted of sexual offences and domestic abuse. We listened carefully to the…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, we are grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Verdirame, for the carefully framed amendment and to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, for the very careful…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, I acknowledge the positive contributions of all noble Lords to this debate. From these Benches we are supportive of the amendments tabled by my noble friend Lady…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, we do not oppose an earned progression model in principle but, as was recognised by all parties in the other place, Clause 20 does not deliver an earned progression…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing Bill06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, Amendments 74 and 75, in my name, concern exemptions to the Government’s so-called earned progression model. We do not oppose in principle the idea that prisoners who…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing Bill06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillI am obliged to the Minister for his observations. However, I have a number of points. First, the apparent use of statistics comparing repeat offending by those who suffer a…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, my Amendments 1 and 27 concern the interaction between the presumption of suspended sentences in Clause 1 and the application of credit for a guilty plea at the first…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, these amendments address the most complex and sensitive of legacies in our sentencing framework. Few issues illustrate more clearly the challenge of balancing public…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing BillMy Lords, Amendment 68 is modest, targeted and proportionate. It would bring much-needed consistency to our justice system. As the Minister observed, transcripts of sentencing are…06 Jan 2026HANSARDSentencing Bill06 Jan 2026HANSARDVictims and Courts BillMy Lords, victims demand effective and speedy justice, and we should deliver effective and speedy legislation. We welcome many measures in the Bill which build on the previous…16 Dec 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts BillSo do we.16 Dec 2025HANSARDVictims and Courts BillI was not suggesting for a moment that the Explanatory Notes are wrong; they just happen to contradict the Minister.16 Dec 2025