Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he will commit to publishing a clear timetable for closing the 10 year sentencing starting point gap between most domestic murders and other murders.

On 30 June, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the Government’s intention to introduce a new 25-year sentencing starting point for domestic murders, which will apply to offenders who murder their current or former intimate partner.

This change can be implemented by secondary legislation, subject to the affirmative resolution procedure and following a statutory consultation with the Sentencing Council for England and Wales as per paragraph 19(2) of Schedule 23 to the Sentencing Act 2020. A statutory instrument will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.