Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment the Government makes of the effectiveness of sentences for criminal offences prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

In August the Prime Minister announced an urgent review of sentencing. This has been an internal review which has focused on the sentencing for the most serious violent and sexual offenders and the rules governing when and how those offenders are released. We have also, as part of this review, looked at changes to sentencing for the most prolific offenders which could help break the cycle of reoffending. Based on the findings of the review, we will be bringing forward proposals shortly for a comprehensive package of legislative reform. This will include amending the automatic release point for the most serious sexual and violent offenders.