UK Sentencing Council proposes lenient sentences for offenders from disadvantaged backgrounds, facing criticism from Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.

UK Judges told to consider more lenient sentences for offenders from "deprived" or "difficult" backgrounds, including poverty, low educational attainment, discrimination and insecure housing. The Sentencing Council's new guidelines have faced criticism from Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, who argues that they risk making poor schooling and poverty excuses for criminals.