Sentencing Council Guidelines

Debate between Esther McVey and Nicholas Dakin
Monday 17th March 2025

(2 weeks, 3 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Nicholas Dakin Portrait Sir Nicholas Dakin
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I agree with my hon. Friend that the last Government appear to have been asleep at the wheel, rediscovering their mojo only once they were in opposition.

Esther McVey Portrait Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con)
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Last week, the Prime Minister announced that he is abolishing NHS England to make sure the NHS is brought back under democratic control. Will the Minister be lobbying the Prime Minister to abolish the Sentencing Council to make sure sentencing is brought back under democratic control?

Nicholas Dakin Portrait Sir Nicholas Dakin
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I thank the former common sense Minister for her question—

Esther McVey Portrait Esther McVey
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You wouldn’t understand common sense.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Esther McVey and Nicholas Dakin
Tuesday 11th March 2025

(3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nicholas Dakin Portrait Sir Nicholas Dakin
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My hon. Friend makes a very good point, and the Ministry of Justice will play a full part in the inter-ministerial group.

Esther McVey Portrait Esther McVey (Tatton) (Con)
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I welcome the Secretary of State’s attempts to prevent the Sentencing Council from changing the sentencing process, which would lead to a two-tier justice system. If, however, the council will not budge—as appears to be the case—a two-tier justice system will arrive in just 21 days, contradicting the key principle of the legal system that everyone should be equal before the law without discrimination. Will the Secretary of State introduce legislation immediately to ensure that that two-tier justice system does not come about?