Sentencing Guidelines

Mr. Kidney
14. To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the likely impact on the number of people sent to prison of the new guidance on sentences for offences of assault.

Maria Eagle
The Sentencing Guidelines Council published guidelines on assault against the person last month. These largely reflect existing Court of Appeal guidelines and current sentencing practice and trends. The Government do not therefore expect significant change in the number of people sent to prison for these offences.