Overview

This bill aims to enhance protections for members of the UK Armed Forces and their families against discrimination. It strengthens existing laws by increasing sentences for crimes motivated by hostility towards service personnel, prohibits discrimination in goods, services, and employment, and provides additional leave entitlement for reservists.

Description

Increased Penalties for Crimes Against Service Personnel:

The bill amends the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to increase sentences for crimes where the victim is a service person or a member of their family. This includes expanding the definition of aggravating factors to explicitly include hostility towards service people.

Prohibition of Discrimination:

The bill amends the Equality Act 2010 to prohibit discrimination against service personnel and their families in the provision of goods, services, and employment. The definition of “family” is broadened to include any relative.

Leave Entitlement for Reservists:

The bill amends the Employment Rights Act 1996 to grant reservists up to 14 days of unpaid leave per year for training purposes. This provision does not apply to companies with fewer than 50 employees. A complaint mechanism through employment tribunals is established for unreasonable refusal of leave.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to lead to significant increases in government spending. The costs associated with potential employment tribunal cases arising from the new leave entitlement provision would depend on the number of complaints.

Groups Affected

• Members of the Armed Forces: Increased protection against discrimination and aggravated sentences for crimes against them.
• Families of Armed Forces Personnel: Extended protection against discrimination and aggravated sentences for crimes against them; broader definition of "family" included.
• Employers: New obligations regarding unpaid leave for reservists (companies with 50 or more employees).
• Employment Tribunals: Increased caseload potentially related to disputes over reservist leave entitlements.
• Offenders: Potentially increased prison sentences for crimes motivated by hostility towards service personnel.

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