Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to impose a duty on the Courts to suspend custodial sentences of 12 months or less.

There are no plans to impose a duty on the Courts to suspend custodial sentences of 12 months or less.

We intend to launch an independent review of sentencing. While the terms of reference are not yet defined, this will look to ensure the sentencing framework is consistent and clear to the public. We will announce more details of this review in due course.