Robert Jenrick has blasted the changes suggested by the Sentencing Council (Image: Parliament TV)
White criminals are more likely to be jailed than offenders from “ethnic minorities and faith minority communities” under shocking new sentencing guidelines, Robert Jenrick has declared.
The Shadow Justice Secretary accused the Sentencing Council of creating a “two-tier” justice system after new rules were sent to magistrates on Wednesday morning.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
宝宝不停地摸肚子–医生发现原因时惊呆了热门话题 了解更多
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs - by the SNP
17 Comments
Fury as Commons Speaker billed taxpayer ￡21,000 for flights and ￡500 for 'extra suitcase'
11 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
53 Comments
New domestic abuse safeguards added to assisted dying Bill to prevent coercion
3 Comments
Labour politicians fear Nigel Farage and Reform UK are set for big wins
91 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
291 Comments
'That's a lie!' Moment Keir Starmer is slapped down in fiery PMQs clash
502 Comments
Donald Trump is tearing up rule book and UK must play these three crucial cards
90 Comments
Express witnesses more migrants being escorted across Channel by French ship
362 Comments
Nearly 1 million people living in UK can't speak English as Labour urged to 'get a grip'
100 Comments
Humiliation for Rachel Reeves as business owners reveal exactly what they think
20 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
204 Comments
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
118 Comments
Nigel Farage promises to wipe out inheritance tax in bombshell pledge
163 Comments
轻鬆告别色斑！只是吃万宁爆卖的「这个」就好japonelifeskeem-hk.com 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood admits chaos in UK courts will get even worse
18 Comments
Labour given urgent warning over courts crisis after response to riots
32 Comments
宝宝不停地摸肚子–医生发现原因时震惊了热门话题
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Moment daughter 'forces' dying mum's hand to sign over entire fortune
52 Comments
Father's 35-year fight for justice - fresh hope in tragic cover-up scandal
Comments
Everybody Wanted To Date Her In The 80's & This Is Her RecentlyInvestructor
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
18 Comments
Row erupts as UK refuses to pay Rwanda more money for axed migrant deal
39 Comments
Brad & Angelina Face Anxiety After Shiloh's New IdentitySportlit
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs - by the SNP
17 Comments
Fury as Commons Speaker billed taxpayer ￡21,000 for flights and ￡500 for 'extra suitcase'
11 Comments
Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now5minstory.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
53 Comments
New domestic abuse safeguards added to assisted dying Bill to prevent coercion
3 Comments
Husband Calls the Police after Discovering the Shocking Truth About His Wife’s Dog ObsessionHappy in Shape
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour politicians fear Nigel Farage and Reform UK are set for big wins
91 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
291 Comments
工程Top-up Degrees 专业技能助您筑起前路SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
'That's a lie!' Moment Keir Starmer is slapped down in fiery PMQs clash
502 Comments
Donald Trump is tearing up rule book and UK must play these three crucial cards
90 Comments
Harry Potter Actress Stuns Fans With Grown-up PicsThe Noodle Box
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Express witnesses more migrants being escorted across Channel by French ship
362 Comments
Nearly 1 million people living in UK can't speak English as Labour urged to 'get a grip'
100 Comments
The oldest stars whose fans don't even know they're still aliveWillIBeHappy.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Humiliation for Rachel Reeves as business owners reveal exactly what they think
20 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
204 Comments
男孩以为自己救了狗，得知真相後脸色惨白Daily-Tales.com 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
118 Comments
Nigel Farage promises to wipe out inheritance tax in bombshell pledge
163 Comments
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood admits chaos in UK courts will get even worse
18 Comments
Labour given urgent warning over courts crisis after response to riots
32 Comments
Moment daughter 'forces' dying mum's hand to sign over entire fortune
52 Comments
Father's 35-year fight for justice - fresh hope in tragic cover-up scandal
Comments
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
18 Comments
Row erupts as UK refuses to pay Rwanda more money for axed migrant deal
39 Comments
Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs - by the SNP
17 Comments
Fury as Commons Speaker billed taxpayer ￡21,000 for flights and ￡500 for 'extra suitcase'
11 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
53 Comments
New domestic abuse safeguards added to assisted dying Bill to prevent coercion
3 Comments
Labour politicians fear Nigel Farage and Reform UK are set for big wins
91 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
291 Comments
'That's a lie!' Moment Keir Starmer is slapped down in fiery PMQs clash
502 Comments
It tells judges that criminals “from an ethnic minority, cultural minority and/or faith minority community” should be specifically considered for pre-sentence reports, meaning they could be considered differently to white counterparts.
Mr Jenrick said a “pre-sentence report is the first step to avoiding a prison sentence”.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has rejected the proposals (Image: Getty)
He declared: “Under new guidance, prison sentences will be less likely for ‘ethnic minorities’ and ‘faith minority communities’.
Sponsored
SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
SHAPE Design Top-up Degrees 培育创意无限设计人才
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
“This would create a two-tier justice system.
“We believe in equality under the law.
“Why doesn’t Labour?”
He added: “Why is the Justice Secretary enshrining this double standard - this two-tier approach to sentencing.
“This is an inversion of the rule of the law.
“We, on this side of the House believe, in equality under the law. Why doesn't she?”
The changes prompted widespread fury on Wednesday, with critics warning equality “under the law is a cornerstone of our civilisation”.
Tory MP Jack Rankin added: “This is a disgrace”.
The hugely controversial new guidance also said pre-sentence reports, which are designed to “tailor” sentences most appropriate to an offender’s history and background, for example to deal with their drug addiction or homelessness, should be prepared if a criminal has declared they are “transgender”.
The Sentencing Council, explaining the changes to magistrates, said: “A pre-sentence report can be pivotal in helping the court decide whether to impose a custodial sentence or community order.”
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood responded to the alarming warning by telling MPs: “As someone who is from an ethnic minority background myself, I do not stand for any differential treatment before the law, for anyone of any kind.
“And there will never be a two-tier sentencing approach under my watch”.
Under the new changes, pregnant women should not be sent to jail unless it is “unavoidable”.
The new guidance, which comes into force on 1 April 2025, says courts “should avoid the possibility of an offender navigating the risks associated with pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period in custody unless the imposition of a custodial sentence is unavoidable”.
It also lists pregnancy as an appropriate reason to suspend a sentence. While the guidance will not end imprisonment of pregnant women completely, it is likely to make a significant difference to the number placed behind bars.
Justice Secretary Ms Mahmood on Wednesday also warned the "sad reality" is the backlog of cases will "still go up".
The Lord Chancellor said on Wednesday that judges will sit collectively for 110,000 days in the next financial year - 4,000 more than allocated for the previous period - to help victims see justice done faster.
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The move comes after the Victims Commissioner published a report on Tuesday warning that the record levels of crown court delays are deepening the trauma of victims and making many feel justice is "out of reach".
The rising backlog in England and Wales has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September last year.
Ms Mahmood told the Commons that some victims will not have their cases heard until 2028, as she said the extra sitting days will be funded by a total budget of ￡2.5 billion allocated for courts and tribunals in the next financial year.
It comes as a report from the Public Accounts Committee published on Wednesday raised concerns that ministers have "simply accepted" the record-high crown court backlog will continue to grow and they will wait for the results of the Leveson Review before planning changes to tackle it.
The major review, led by Sir Brian Leveson, is expected to report on reforms to the courts system in the spring.
Announcing the extra sitting days, Ms Mahmood described it as a "critical first step" but said there is more that "we must" do.
Asked how long it will take to clear the courts backlog, she told Times Radio: "We will be making progress, but the sad reality is that, even sitting to this unprecedented amount, the backlog will still go up.
"Because the demand of cases coming into the system is very, very large, and that's why I announced some weeks ago that Brian Leveson will be carrying out a crown courts review for us to look at once-in-a-generation reform of the sorts of cases that go into our crown courts, so that we can actually bear down on that backlog in the longer term."
Changes on which cases go to jury trials as crown courts buckle under the "sheer number of cases" coming in will be among the measures being considered in the Leveson Review, Ms Mahmood told LBC.
"He will also be considering whether we should do more with our magistrates' courts and the sorts of cases that they can hear, or whether there is a case for a court that sits between the magistrates and the crown," she said.
Mr Jenrick added that the Government was still not making the most of available court capacity.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs - by the SNP
16 Comments
Fury as Commons Speaker billed taxpayer ￡21,000 for flights and ￡500 for 'extra suitcase'
11 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
53 Comments
New domestic abuse safeguards added to assisted dying Bill to prevent coercion
3 Comments
Labour politicians fear Nigel Farage and Reform UK are set for big wins
91 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
291 Comments
'That's a lie!' Moment Keir Starmer is slapped down in fiery PMQs clash
502 Comments
Donald Trump is tearing up rule book and UK must play these three crucial cards
90 Comments
Express witnesses more migrants being escorted across Channel by French ship
361 Comments
Nearly 1 million people living in UK can't speak English as Labour urged to 'get a grip'
100 Comments
Humiliation for Rachel Reeves as business owners reveal exactly what they think
20 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
204 Comments
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
118 Comments
Nigel Farage promises to wipe out inheritance tax in bombshell pledge
163 Comments
Couple have a wedding photoshoot. But then the photographer notices something strange.Kingdom Of Men
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood admits chaos in UK courts will get even worse
18 Comments
Labour given urgent warning over courts crisis after response to riots
32 Comments
10 Celebrities Without Makeup; Number 10 Will Shock YouTelehealth Dave
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Moment daughter 'forces' dying mum's hand to sign over entire fortune
52 Comments
Father's 35-year fight for justice - fresh hope in tragic cover-up scandal
Comments
Stunning Country Girls: A Visual DelightTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
18 Comments
Row erupts as UK refuses to pay Rwanda more money for axed migrant deal
40 Comments
They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock YouCash Roadster
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs - by the SNP
16 Comments
Fury as Commons Speaker billed taxpayer ￡21,000 for flights and ￡500 for 'extra suitcase'
11 Comments
Her Outfit Caught Everyone's Eye The StadiumTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
53 Comments
New domestic abuse safeguards added to assisted dying Bill to prevent coercion
3 Comments
机电工程署「技术员训练计划」现正招聘。截止申请日期：3月10日机电工程署 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour politicians fear Nigel Farage and Reform UK are set for big wins
91 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
291 Comments
Vplus 专才进修资助 资助高达60% 上限HK$45,000 / HK$36,000Vplus 辨事处 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
'That's a lie!' Moment Keir Starmer is slapped down in fiery PMQs clash
502 Comments
Donald Trump is tearing up rule book and UK must play these three crucial cards
90 Comments
96岁老妇卖楼，买家走进去完全惊呆了Women's Method
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Express witnesses more migrants being escorted across Channel by French ship
361 Comments
Nearly 1 million people living in UK can't speak English as Labour urged to 'get a grip'
100 Comments
30 photos that really make you thinkHigh Tally
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Humiliation for Rachel Reeves as business owners reveal exactly what they think
20 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
204 Comments
He takes a photo on a wedding, later notices something odd.Kingdom Of Men
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
118 Comments
Nigel Farage promises to wipe out inheritance tax in bombshell pledge
163 Comments
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood admits chaos in UK courts will get even worse
18 Comments
Labour given urgent warning over courts crisis after response to riots
32 Comments
Moment daughter 'forces' dying mum's hand to sign over entire fortune
52 Comments
Father's 35-year fight for justice - fresh hope in tragic cover-up scandal
Comments
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
18 Comments
Row erupts as UK refuses to pay Rwanda more money for axed migrant deal
40 Comments
Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs - by the SNP
16 Comments
Fury as Commons Speaker billed taxpayer ￡21,000 for flights and ￡500 for 'extra suitcase'
11 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
53 Comments
New domestic abuse safeguards added to assisted dying Bill to prevent coercion
3 Comments
Labour politicians fear Nigel Farage and Reform UK are set for big wins
91 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
291 Comments
'That's a lie!' Moment Keir Starmer is slapped down in fiery PMQs clash
502 Comments
Walmart Photos Which Are Not For EveryoneOld Money Style
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
This Photo Has Not Been Edited, Take a Closer LookTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Scarlett Johansson's Actual Size Left Fans SpeechlessThe Latest Article
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
和大眼袋分手！只是涂万宁卖到翻的「这个」就好japonelifeskeem-hk.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
He said the Old Bailey had 13 criminal courtrooms sat empty on Tuesday, Preston Crown Court had 40% of its courts unused and Winchester Crown Court had two-thirds of its courtrooms vacant.
He said that of the 6,500 the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill said were available to the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood last year in comments made to the Justice Select Committee, there are still 2,500 that have not been taken up.
He said: "As a result of the court backlog that has grown under the Justice Secretary, we need to be maximising court capacity, taking full advantage of all available days and probing the judiciary to create more capacity."