Sentencing Council Strategic Objectives 2027-2030

Overview

The Sentencing Council for England Wales is consulting on its proposed strategic objectives for the period 2027 to 2030.

The consultation, which will run from 9 July to 30 October, invites views from the public, criminal justice professionals, and all those with an interest in sentencing guidelines and the broader work of the Sentencing Council, on the Council’s future priorities, as its current five‑year strategy (2021–2026) draws to a close.

The draft strategic objectives reflect the Council’s ongoing statutory role and the significant progress made in developing sentencing guidelines across the majority of high-volume offences in England and Wales. The proposed objectives are:

• Developing and revising sentencing guidelines
• Producing and using analysis and research to support evidence-based decision-making
• Fulfilling the Council’s Public Sector Equality Duty
• Promoting public understanding of sentencing

As sentencing guidelines are now in place for most major offences and those offences most commonly seen by the courts, the Council expects its future work to focus increasingly on evaluating, maintaining and updating existing guidelines to ensure they remain effective and up to date.

The Council will consider all responses carefully before publishing its finalised strategic objectives, alongside a workplan and formal response to the consultation, in spring 2027.