Hate crimes motivated by a person's disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity are poised to be recognised as aggravated offences under a proposed legal change. An amendment to the Crimes and Policing Bill would mean crimes targeting these characteristics carry a higher maximum penalty.

The amendment, which applies to England and Wales, is currently progressing through the House of Lords. It aims to bring these offences in line with existing aggravated charges for crimes motivated by racial or religious hostility.

Currently, courts can apply an "uplift" to sentences for crimes involving hostility based on LGBT status or disability. The new law would establish them as distinct, aggravated charges from the outset, with more severe sentencing powers.

Labour MP Rachel Taylor, who first proposed the amendment, stated that police recorded over 30,000 such hate crimes in England and Wales between March 2024 and 2025. She described the change as a "vital" stride forward for equality.

The LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop called it a "landmark moment". Jasmine O'Connor, its co-chief executive, said it sends a "clear message that anti-LGBT+ hate crime is as deserving of justice" as racially or religiously motivated crime.

Campaign group Stonewall, which had long lobbied for the reform, welcomed the government delivering on a manifesto commitment. Chief executive Simon Blake said it sends a "powerful message" about equal access to justice.

The amendment also covers crimes aggravated by the victim's sex, which the government links to its mission of halving violence against women and girls within ten years. The bill must complete its parliamentary stages before becoming law.