Group-based Child Sexual Offences (Mandatory Life Sentences) Bill 2026-27
make provision about the sentencing of offenders convicted of serious sexual crimes against children committed as part of a group; to require that whole life orders are the starting point for adult offenders; to require minimum terms for young adult and child offenders; and for connected purposes.
Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)
The Group-based Child Sexual Offences (Mandatory Life Sentences) Bill is a Ballot Bill tabled by Robert Jenrick.
Is this Bill currently before Parliament?Yes. This Bill was introduced on 17 June 2026 and is currently before Parliament.
Whose idea is this Bill?As a Private Members' Bill, this Bill represents the individual initiative of an MP (Robert Jenrick), not the Government.
What type of Bill is this?20 Ballot Bills places are awarded by lottery to backbench MP's at the start of each Session. These Bills receive precedence for debate in the Commons and a handful will succeed in becoming enacted into law.
The higher chance of success means MPs who win a ballot slot are frequently lobbied by groups wishing to have legislation tabled on their behalf, but the choice of bill ultimately remains with the MP.
So is this going to become a law?Historically, between 3 and 13 of the 20 Ballot Bills have succeeded in becoming enacted into law. Therefore, provided this bill is sufficiently high in the Ballot and the Government has no means to object to the bill, it has the greatest chance of PMBs to be enacted into law.
Would you like to know more?See these Glossary articles for more information: Ballot Bill, Private Members Bill, Process of a Bill
Next Event: Friday 29th January 2027 - 2nd reading
Order Paper number: 1
(Certain to be Debated)
Last Event: Wednesday 17th June 2026 - 1st reading (Commons)
Bill Progession through Parliament