Punishment of Offenders Bill

The House of Commons has passed a number of measures which will have a significant effect on dangerous criminals.  One such measure introduced under The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill is the “two strikes” and you’re out sentence.  Meaning, that a mandatory life sentence will be given to anyone convicted, for the second time, of a very serious sexual or violent crime. For those who are convicted for the first time for these offences there will be an end to the practice of releasing offenders automatically half way through their sentences. Instead these offenders will serve two thirds of their sentence and then the parole board will determine if they should continue serving the remainder of their sentences or be released.

 

The Government is also proposing to deal with the increasing number of young people who carry knives. All too often the propensity of some people to carry knives leads to tragic consequences and so it is right that there is a greater deal of certainty over what will happen to someone who uses a knife to threaten or intimidate. This is why the Government has proposed that a mandatory prison sentence for knife crime should exist for anyone aged 16 or over.

 

We have also voted to criminalise squatting for the first time and have strengthened the right for people to defend themselves against intruders in their home.

 

I very much hope that the House of Lords support these measures and that we do not have the situation we experienced over benefit caps.