Sentencing Bill 2023-24


make provision about the sentencing of offenders convicted of murder or sexual offences; to make provision about the suspension of custodial sentences; to make provision about the release of offenders, including provision about release on licence; and for connected purposes.

Government Bill

(Ministry of Justice)
What is this Bill?

The Sentencing Bill was a Government Bill tabled by a Minister of the Crown.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

No. This Bill is not under active consideration by Parliament, as it was introduced during the previous 2023-24 Session.

Whose idea is this Bill?

Government Bills implement the legislative agenda of the Government. This agenda, and the Bills that will implement it, are outlined in the Queen's Speech at the Session's State Opening of Parliament.

What type of Bill is this?

Government Bills are technically Presentation Bills, but the Government can use its legislative time to ensure the schedule of debates to scrutinise the Bill.

So is this going to become a law?

No. This Bill did not complete it's passage before the Session completed and is no longer before Parliament. However, it may have been re-introduced under a similar name in a subsequent Session.

How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?

The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Government Bills, Process of a Bill

Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers

Next Event: There is no future stage currently scheduled for this bill

Last Event: Wednesday 6th December 2023 - 2nd reading (Commons)

Bill Progession through Parliament

Commons - 40%

Latest Key documents

Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages

16th May 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 16 May 2024
21st March 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 21 March 2024
18th March 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 18 March 2024
14th March 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 14 March 2024
6th March 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 6 March 2024
5th March 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 5 March 2024
29th February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 29 February 2024
27th February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 27 February 2024
23rd February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 23 February 2024
22nd February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 22 February 2024
20th February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 20 February 2024
19th February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 19 February 2024
16th February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 16 February 2024
7th February 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 7 February 2024
30th January 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 30 January 2024
12th January 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 12 January 2024
8th January 2024
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 8 January 2024
20th December 2023
Amendment Paper
Notices of Amendments as at 20 December 2023
6th December 2023
2nd reading (Commons)
6th December 2023
Programme motion
4th December 2023
Briefing papers
Research briefing on the Bill
14th November 2023
1st reading (Commons)
14th November 2023
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment: Sentencing Bill - Changes on the Presumption of the suspension of short sentences
14th November 2023
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment: Sentencing Bill - Whole Life Orders
14th November 2023
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment: Sentencing Bill - Serious Sexual Offences
14th November 2023
Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment: Sentencing Bill - Changes to the Home Detention Curfew Scheme
14th November 2023
Relevant documents
Equalities Statement: Sentencing Bill - Extension of Whole Life Orders
14th November 2023
Relevant documents
Equalities Statement: Sentencing Bill – Presumption Against Short Sentences
14th November 2023
Relevant documents
Equalities Statement: Sentencing Bill – Serious Sexual Offences
14th November 2023
Relevant documents
Equalities Statement: Sentencing Bill - Changes to the Home Detention Curfew Scheme
14th November 2023
Explanatory Notes
Bill 0011 EN 2023-24
14th November 2023
Human rights memorandum
Human Rights Memorandum from the Ministry of Justice
14th November 2023
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Delegated Powers Memorandum from the Ministry of Justice
14th November 2023
Bill
Bill 0011 2023-24 (as introduced) - xml download
14th November 2023
Bill
Bill 0011 2023-24 (as introduced)