Sentencing Act 2026

What the bill does

A Bill to make provision about the sentencing, release and management after sentencing of offenders; to make provision about bail; to make provision about the removal from the United Kingdom of foreign criminals; and for connected purposes.

Progress through Parliament

What Royal Assent means, and what happens next

The bill has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.

Its provisions come into force on the date the Act specifies, which may be immediately, on a set date, or when a minister makes a commencement order.

Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at Royal Assent

Questions about the Sentencing Act 2026

What stage is the Sentencing Act 2026 at?

The Sentencing Act 2026 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.

Has the Sentencing Act 2026 become law?

Yes. The Sentencing Act 2026 has received Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament.

Who sponsored the Sentencing Act 2026?

The Sentencing Act 2026 was sponsored by Shabana Mahmood.

When was the Sentencing Act 2026 introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 2 September 2025, at first reading.

Other bills at Royal Assent

• Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026 · Peter Kyle
• National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 · Shabana Mahmood
• Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Act 2026 · Rachel Reeves
• Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Act 2026 · Dan Tomlinson
• Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act · Angela Rayner
• Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 · Bridget Phillipson

See every bill before Parliament