Joe Atkinson

David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, has announced a significant increase in minimum prison sentences for offenders who kill their current or ex-partners in England and Wales. The new minimum sentence will be 25 years, an increase of 10 years. This policy change follows a seven-year campaign by mothers of victims, who presented Lammy with images of their daughters killed by partners. The campaign highlighted cases such as Ellie Gould, who was killed by her boyfriend. The new sentencing aims to address a perceived gap in justice for victims of domestic homicide, particularly when a weapon is brought to the scene. Lammy's announcement signifies a government response to sustained public pressure and advocacy from grieving families seeking greater accountability for perpetrators of domestic violence.