Overview

This bill aims to enhance legal protection for members of the UK Armed Forces by introducing harsher penalties for crimes committed against them and prohibiting discrimination against them in the provision of goods and services.

Description

The bill makes two key changes to existing legislation:

Aggravated Offences

It amends the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to consider crimes against service personnel as aggravated offences, leading to increased sentences. This applies if the victim is a service person or the crime is motivated by hostility towards service people. The definition of "service person" is broadened to include family members.

Prohibition of Discrimination

It amends the Equality Act 2010 to explicitly prohibit discrimination against service personnel (current and former) in the provision of goods and services.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending increases. However, increased prison sentences for aggravated offences could lead to higher costs associated with incarceration.

Groups Affected

• Members of the Armed Forces (current and former): They will benefit from increased legal protection against both crime and discrimination.
• Businesses providing goods and services: They will be legally obligated to avoid discriminating against service personnel.
• The Judiciary: They will need to apply the amended legislation in sentencing and legal rulings.
• Perpetrators of crimes against service personnel: They face the possibility of harsher penalties.

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