Committee publication · Correspondence · 8 July 2026
Correspondence from Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, re Domestic murder sentencing, dated 30 June 2026
Summary
Lord Chancellor David Lammy announces the government's intention to raise the sentencing starting point for domestic murder from 15 years to 25 years, addressing what he identifies as an unacceptable disparity where domestic murders receive lower sentences than non-domestic murders. The new framework will apply to intimate partner relationships and will be implemented via secondary legislation.
Key findings
- Current sentencing framework sets a 15-year starting point for domestic murders versus 25 years for murders where a weapon is taken to scene with intent, creating a disparity
- Domestic murders often receive lower sentences because weapons are typically present in the home (e.g., kitchen knives) rather than brought with premeditation
- Government proposes 25-year starting point for murders in intimate partner relationships: spouses, civil partners, cohabitees, and boyfriends/girlfriends
- Policy will include exceptions for lower culpability cases, such as abuse victims who kill their abuser
- Implementation via secondary legislation with retroactive exclusion—new starting point applies only to murders committed after implementation date
Tone
ProceduralTopics
criminal-justicesentencingdomestic-abusevictim-protection
Key actors
David Lammy, Sarah Owen MP, Ministry of Justice, Women and Equalities Committee
Notable line
“The current sentencing framework does not adequately recognise the seriousness of domestic murders.”
Key Quotes
“Too often, murders committed outside of a domestic setting receive higher minimum terms than domestic murders.”
“The Government intends to rectify this unacceptable disparity in treatment by introducing a 25 year starting point for domestic murders.”
“… the intention is that the new starting point will apply to those in an intimate partner relationship, including present and former spouses, civil partners, cohabiting partners and boy/girlfriends.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗