Sentencing Bill 2024-26: Lords Amendments

The Sentencing Bill has been through its House of Lords stages. Lords amendments will be considered in the Commons on 20 January 2026.

The Sentencing Bill was passed to the House of Lords on 30 October 2025. The committee stage took place from 26 November to 3 December 2025and the report stage was held on 6 January 2026. Lords third reading took place on 12 January 2026.

The government introduced new clauses to the bill at report stage. One opposition amendment was agreed on division. One clause was removed.

This briefing summarises the main amendments to the bill made during its passage through the House of Lords.

In the Lords the government made a number of amendments which were agreed. One Opposition amendment was agreed. Many other amendments were debated and were not successful.

The key amendments made by government were:

• A new clause on the termination of licences of people serving indeterminate sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPPs).
• A new clause requiring an annual report on prison capacity.
• A new clause requiring that a whole life order is the starting point when sentencing someone for the murder of a police officer, prison officer or probation officer.
• Changes to the clauses on the Sentencing Council.

The Opposition amendment that was agreed was regarding the provision of free Crown Court transcripts when requested by victims.

Clause 35, that would have given the probation service the power to publicise the details of people on unpaid work requirements was removed from the bill.