Summary
The Conservatives plan to abolish the Sentencing Council in England and Wales and give ministers the power to set sentencing guidelines. Robert Jenrick announced these plans at the Conservative party's conference, criticizing the council's current role. These changes follow a previous disagreement about how certain groups are treated in pre-sentence reports.
Key Facts
- Conservatives plan to scrap the Sentencing Council in England and Wales.
- The Sentencing Council currently sets guidelines for courts in these regions.
- Robert Jenrick, a Conservative leader, criticized the council for not being effective.
- The controversy arose from a past dispute over pre-sentence reports for minority groups.
- The government previously blocked guidance updates due to this dispute.
- Proposed changes include giving the justice secretary power to veto sentencing guidelines.
- The Sentencing Bill is being reviewed in Parliament for these changes.
- Conservative party conference is discussing these changes and party leadership dynamics.
