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Sentencing Bill: HL Bill 142 of 2024–26

Approximate read time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

The Sentencing Bill has been introduced to make reforms to sentencing law following an independent sentencing review commissioned by the government, which reported in May 2025. The bill would introduce several changes recommended by the review, including a move to an ‘earned progression model’ for the release of offenders serving standard determinate sentences. Other provisions include introducing a presumption of a suspended sentence order when a court imposes a sentence of imprisonment for 12 months or less, subject to certain exceptions.

The government has argued that the bill’s provisions are needed to address a capacity crisis in the prison system. The Conservative Party has been critical of the proposals. Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Robert Jenrick tabled a reasoned amendment at the bill’s second reading in the House of Commons, which if accepted would have declined to give the bill a second reading, arguing that it would “lead to an increase in the number of dangerous criminals on the streets, putting the public, particularly women and girls, at risk”. The Liberal Democrats spokesperson for justice, Josh Babarinde, said that his party “cautiously” supported the bill.

The government made a small number of amendments to the bill at its committee stage, including adding a new clause on the deportation of foreign national offenders. A number of non-government amendments were proposed at committee and report, but all were defeated on division.