Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson has welcomed the Government's proposals to strengthen victims' rights following a campaign by the Josh Hanson Trust.
Ampthill resident Tracey Hanson has fought for many years to ensure that victims are afforded similar rights to appeal sentencing decisions as those available to defendants, after her son Josh was murdered in an unprovoked attack in London in 2015.
His murderer was sentenced to 26 years in prison, just one year more than the minimum term for murder, and Tracey says she was not originally told about her right to challenge the sentence handed down to her son's killer.
So she has been fighting to change the law to require information on appealing a sentence to be given to families at the point of sentencing.
And since his election in 2024, Blake Stephenson MP has supported Tracey's campaign by raising it with Ministers through letters, questions in the House of Commons and behind-the-scenes meetings.
Today (9th April 2026), as part of reforms to the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, it was announced that victims and bereaved families will have longer than ever to challenge sentences they don’t feel fit the crime they’ve suffered.
Tracey Hanson said: “After seven years of relentless campaigning through the Josh Hanson Trust, this is a significant and long-awaited victory for victims’ rights. Following our extensive advocacy, the Government has agreed to transformative amendments to the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
"These changes represent a hard-fought victory in ensuring that families are no longer left in the dark or rushed through a traumatising process during the most painful moments of their lives. These reforms are a testament to Josh’s memory and the passion and dedication of everyone who stood with the Josh Hanson Trust. We have moved forward, but the fight for full equality in the eyes of the law continues.”
Blake Stephenson, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, commented: "I welcome the Government’s agreement to bring forward transformative reforms to the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. This represents an important and necessary step towards strengthening victim’s rights."
"Tracey has campaigned relentlessly over the past seven years, and I am honoured to have been able to work closely with Tracey, raising her campaign directly with Ministers and advocating for meaningful reform in Parliament.
"These long-awaited changes mark a significant victory for victims and their families, helping to ensure that they are no longer left in the dark or rushed through a traumatising process during the most painful moments of their lives. The reforms are a fitting testament to the memory of Josh Hanson, and to the tireless commitment of Tracey and all those who have stood with the Josh Hanson Trust.
"I know that despite this step forward, Tracey will be continuing her fight for full equality for victims in the eyes of the law, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to deliver reform."
