Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 100766
Prison Sentences
Tabled: 16 December 2025
Answered: 23 December 2025
Question
James McMurdock
Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of whether the discretion for courts to depart from sentencing guidelines in the interests of justice affects the (a) consistency and (b) effectiveness of sentencing outcomes.
Answer
Jake RichardsAll sentencing courts in England and Wales must follow any sentencing guidelines which are relevant to the offender’s case, unless it is in the interests of justice not to do so (by virtue of section 59 of the Sentencing Code). Whilst there is a high bar ...
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