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Written Question
Hate Crime: LGBT People
Monday 3rd February 2020

Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to classify hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as aggravated offences.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)

The Law Commission have been invited to review the law relating to hate crime and to make recommendations to the Government for its reform. The review began in March 2019.

Specifically, the Law Commission have been asked to consider the current range of offences and aggravating factors in sentencing, and to make recommendations on the most appropriate models to ensure that the criminal law provides consistent and effective protection from conduct motivated by hatred towards protected groups or characteristics. The review will also take account of the existing range of protected characteristics, identifying any gaps in the scope of protection currently offered under the law and making recommendations to promote a consistent approach.

The Law Commission plan to issue a consultation on this matter in early 2020. Further information on the review can be found on the Law Commission webpage at: https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/hate-crime/

Under the current law, the courts already have a duty to treat evidence of hostility based on someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity as an aggravating factor when considering the seriousness of an offence. Where an offence is proven, this would merit an increase in penalty within the maximum available for that offence.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Fri 26 Feb 2016
Criminal Cases Review Commission (Information) Bill

"My Lords, I strongly support the Bill, which was so effectively and comprehensively introduced by the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham. Any miscarriage of justice is a travesty in human terms and in its impact on the reputation of justice, and it is right that we have the most effective measures …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Criminal Cases Review Commission (Information) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 01 Jun 2015
Queen’s Speech

"My Lords, although he is momentarily not in his place, it would be remiss of me not to welcome my noble friend Lord Dunlop to this House, as he and I first worked together in the Conservative research department some 30 years ago. It is good to have him here. …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Queen’s Speech
Written Question
Magna Carta
Thursday 11th December 2014

Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding they are making available to organisations marking the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta; and how those funds will be used.

Answered by Lord Faulks

In March this year the Chancellor of the Exchequer provided a direct grant of £1 million to the Magna Carta Trust to support the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta. Applications for funding were invited by the Trust and a list of projects that were successful is available at: http://magnacarta800th.com/projects/.

In addition to the direct grant of £1 million, Magna Carta projects have benefited from awards totalling £21.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Successful projects range from £502,900 awarded to Salisbury Cathedral’s ‘Engaging with Magna Carta’ programme to £7,400 for the Walkern History Society’s self guided history trail.

The Ministry of Justice has also provided four members of staff to support the development of the Global Law Summit, to be held in February next year, a world-class legal conference which will address the continuing relevance of Magna Carta to modern-world legal and business issues.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 21 Jul 2014
Criminal Justice and Courts Bill

"My Lords, I am pleased to support my noble friend Lord Sharkey’s amendment. He has done all those who are committed to real equality for gay men and women, living and dead, a great service. I hope he has also ensured that Wednesday’s prom will be a sell-out, as indeed …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Criminal Justice and Courts Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 30 Jun 2014
Criminal Justice and Courts Bill

"My Lords, I may be about to enter the record books for the shortest ever Second Reading speech. My thunder was well and truly stolen by the Minister in his opening speech. I had intended to talk this afternoon at some length—something that I can now spare noble Lords—about the …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Criminal Justice and Courts Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 05 Feb 2013
Defamation Bill

"My Lords, I should declare an interest as chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance and executive director of the Telegraph Media Group. I have the greatest admiration for the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam. He and I have made common cause on a number of things over the years. …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Defamation Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 05 Feb 2013
Defamation Bill

"It is going to happen, and my lawnmower is out in force already. Media lawyers from across the industry are working flat out to establish a scheme that will be good for the public but not an intolerable burden on the regional press in particular. Crucially, we have to find …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Defamation Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 05 Feb 2013
Defamation Bill

"..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Defamation Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 05 Feb 2013
Defamation Bill

"My Lords, in moving the amendment, I refer to the declaration of interests that I made when speaking to the first group of amendments that we considered today. It was a matter of great regret to me that the fallout from the Leveson inquiry and the need to make swift …..."
Lord Black of Brentwood - View Speech

View all Lord Black of Brentwood (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Defamation Bill