There is to be a Sentencing Council for England and Wales.

Schedule 15 makes provision about the Council.

The Council must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, make to the Lord Chancellor a report on the exercise of the Council’s functions during the year.

The Lord Chancellor must lay a copy of the report before Parliament.

The Council must publish the report once a copy has been so laid.

Sections 128(3), 130 and 131 make further provision about the content of reports under this section.

If section 118 comes into force after the beginning of a financial year, the first report may relate to a period beginning with the day on which that section comes into force and ending with the end of the next financial year.