Solicitor General

In the House of Commons debate, the Solicitor General, Sarah Sackman, outlined the government's position on several key issues. Regarding the unduly lenient sentence scheme, she stated that sentencing is the responsibility of the judiciary, and offenders already have the right to appeal excessive sentences. On the issue of violence against women and girls, the Solicitor General acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the government's commitment to halving such crimes within a decade. She discussed measures such as the introduction of specialist rape courts and the need for better coordination between the police and Crown Prosecution Service. In response, the shadow Solicitor General, Sir Jeremy Wright, agreed that extending the unduly lenient sentence scheme to cover unduly severe sentences would not be appropriate, but suggested the government could consider more proactive monitoring of sentencing, particularly for newly created offences. The shadow Solicitor General also welcomed the Solicitor General's appointment and that of the new Chair of the Justice Committee, Andy Slaughter. The debate then covered a range of topics, including the need to increase prosecution rates for cases related to violence against women and girls, the use of Clare's law to protect victims of domestic abuse, and the impact of delays in the criminal justice system on victims. The Solicitor General acknowledged the issues and outlined the government's plans, such as the introduction of specialist rape courts and the commitment to halve violence against women and girls. The discussion also touched on steps to increase prosecution rates for shoplifting, with the Solicitor General stating that the government is not prepared to allow criminal gangs to be "emboldened by poor enforcement and immunity for low-level shoplifting." The debate also addressed the prosecution of rioters, with the Solicitor General highlighting the swift action taken by the Crown Prosecution Service during the recent disorder. Overall, the debate covered a wide range of issues within the Solicitor General's remit, with the government outlining its plans to address concerns and the opposition offering constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.