Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made recent representations to the Sentencing Council to ensure that (a) repeat weapons offenders who are found guilty of murder or manslaughter serve their full sentence and (b) sentencing guidelines in respect of knife crimes are kept under regular review; and if he will make a statement.

The Sentencing Council is an independent body, and not responsible for the release of offenders from prison. As such, no representations have been made to the Council regarding the release of offenders serving sentences for murder and manslaughter.

The Bladed Articles and Offensive Weapons sentencing guideline came into force on 1 June 2018 and the Council will review these guidelines, in accordance with its statutory duty to do so.