Written question asked by Lord Soley (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 February 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 March 2018. It was answered by Lord Keen of Elie (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 March 2018 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Fines

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether statutory instruments have been used to introduce increased fines for criminal offences at any point in the last 30 years.

Answer: The standard scale of fines set down in the Criminal Justice Act 1982 for criminal offences in England and Wales was increased by primary legislation in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, and the Level 5 maximum was increased to an unlimited fine in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The standard scale has not been amended by Order in the period specified. Regulations may be made under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 provide alternative maximum penalties for some offences.

Secondary information