To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects the Sentencing Guidelines Council to review its guidelines in respect of prolific and persistent offenders; and if he will make a statement. (102733)

The principles that the court must follow when determining the seriousness of an offence are set out in statute. Any previous convictions, where they are recent and relevant, should be regarded as an aggravating factor which should increase the severity of the sentence. The Sentencing Guidelines published a guideline on “Overarching Principles: Seriousness” in December 2004. There are no plans to review this guideline at present.