Overview
- MPs voted 307 to 182 to defeat Conservative amendments that sought to exclude rape, child sexual offences, grievous bodily harm and stalking from early-release eligibility.
- The Bill keeps an earned-progression scheme with minimum release points of 33% for standard determinate sentences and 50% for more serious standard determinate sentences, alongside expanded tagging and community supervision.
- Labour maintains that the worst offenders on extended determinate or life sentences will not benefit from early progression and stresses that sentencing decisions remain for judges.
- Conservatives argue many serious offenders receive standard determinate sentences and could qualify for earlier release, and their separate proposals on transparency and limiting early release to sub-12-month terms were also voted down.
- The wider package restricts most custodial terms under 12 months, strengthens community penalties and extends suspended sentences, with the legislation continuing its passage through Parliament.