Sentencing Council Guidelines Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice
Tuesday 1st April 2025

(3 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shabana Mahmood Portrait Shabana Mahmood
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I did answer the question: it did not.

Paul Waugh Portrait Paul Waugh (Rochdale) (Lab/Co-op)
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Whatever their ethnic background, my constituents in Rochdale are united in supporting the ancient British principle of equality under the law. I welcome what the Justice Secretary has produced today, in stark contrast to the Opposition, who welcomed the previous attempts at two-tier justice. Does she agree with me that pre-sentence reports should be available for all offenders and should never be linked to ethnicity, culture or faith?

Shabana Mahmood Portrait Shabana Mahmood
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My hon. Friend is right. I wish to see the widest possible use of pre-sentencing reports. It is my job to ensure that the Probation Service is in a position to provide pre-sentencing reports whenever they are required by the court, and that courts have confidence in the reports that they are getting. I will ensure that that is the case.