Emergency Legislation to Override Sentencing Council’s Recommendations
The Justice Secretary is set to introduce emergency laws this week to prevent courts from implementing "two-tier sentencing," where different punishments are imposed based on a criminal's age, sex, and ethnicity.
Shabana Mahmood will vow to override the Sentencing Council's new rules, which require courts to consider demographics in sentencing decisions, set to take effect tomorrow.
Last-Ditch Effort to Prevent Controversial Move
Despite repeated pleas from Ms Mahmood, the Sentencing Council has stood firm on its recommendations, prompting the urgent need for emergency legislation to intervene.
The new laws will mandate judges to ignore the Sentencing Council's guidance, with hopes of swift passage through Parliament within 24 hours.
Cost Concerns and Criticism
An analysis by the Conservatives highlighted potential additional costs of £17.5 million per year for extra pre-sentence reports, sparking concerns over the financial implications of the new sentencing guidelines.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticized the system, stating that it could lead to bias against white individuals and place a financial burden on taxpayers.
The Ministry of Justice dismissed the Conservative's cost estimates as "speculation."
