Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has he made of the effectiveness of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme on sexual offence sentences.

The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme provides a valuable way to ensure that sentences for serious crimes, including certain sexual offences, can be challenged if perceived to be unduly lenient. In November 2019, the government extended the scheme to include further sexual offences – such as those involving indecent images of children and abusing a position of trust with a child – stalking, harassment and coercive or controlling behaviour. In 2021, sentences for sexual offences represented over a third of all cases referred to the Court of Appeal.

In 2021, 66% of sentences for sexual offences referred by the Attorney General were increased.