Overview

The Armed Forces (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill aims to enhance legal protection for members of the UK armed forces by introducing stricter penalties for crimes committed against them and prohibiting discrimination against them in the provision of goods and services.

Description

This bill makes two key changes to existing legislation:

• Aggravated Offences: It amends the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Crimes against service personnel will be considered aggravated offences, leading to harsher sentences. This applies when the offender's hostility is directed at the victim's status as a service person or if the victim is presumed to be a service person. The definition of "service person" includes relatives.
• Discrimination in Goods and Services: It amends the Equality Act 2010 to explicitly prohibit discrimination against service personnel (current or former) in the provision of goods and services.

The bill will come into force two months after receiving Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to lead to significant increases in direct government spending. The main cost implications will likely arise from potential increases in prosecutions and related legal processes, the amount of which is difficult to estimate.

Groups Affected

The bill will primarily affect:

• Members of the Armed Forces (current and former): They will receive enhanced legal protection against both criminal offences and discrimination.
• Providers of Goods and Services: Businesses will be legally obligated to avoid discrimination against service personnel when providing their services.
• The Judiciary: Judges will need to apply the new aggravated offense provisions when sentencing criminals.
• Offenders: Individuals committing crimes against service personnel will face potentially longer prison sentences.

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