Sir Jeremy Wright

Sir Jeremy Wright

Conservative — Kenilworth and Southam

Speaking in the House of Commons on 30 April 2025

Debate

Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill

Contribution

Yes, I think the right hon. Lady is right that that is what the sentencing guidelines were aiming at, but I am afraid that the way in which they were phrased rather missed the mark, in my view. It is perfectly true to say that it is a good thing in most sentencing cases to get as much information as possible, but the sentencing guidelines have, as she will appreciate, particular influence on sentencers, who are obliged to follow them unless doing so is not in the interests of justice. The tone that is set by the Sentencing Council in the guidelines that it drafts gives a good indication to sentencers about the sorts of things that they ought to take into account in sentencing. As she heard me say—I think this is an important point to make—we are talking about the ordering of pre-sentence reports and not about sentencing itself.

More from Sir Jeremy Wright

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Sir Jeremy Wright's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Sir Jeremy Wright report card.