Member

There is also the matter of the definition of personal characteristics, which was touched on by the right hon. and learned Member for Kenilworth and Southam. The Bill states that guidelines produced by the Sentencing Council cannot include provision framed by reference to “personal characteristics”. The Bill then specifies that personal characteristics include “in particular” race, religion or belief and cultural background. The list is non-exhaustive and therefore covers other personal characteristics, such as age, disability, sex and sexual orientation. Clause 1 will therefore render unlawful the following cohorts, which were included in the imposition of the community and custodial sentence guideline: