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Long waiting times to access specialist support, especially for children and young people were highlighted during a recent consultation, which also found that those from certain economic or ethnic minority backgrounds were disadvantaged.

Previously, students were ranked and jobs were allocated based on merit, but this was changed for fear it was stressful for students and particularly unfair on those from deprived backgrounds and ethnic minorities.

An emergency law to override new rules about how to sentence offenders from ethnic minorities will not be passed before Easter, government sources have confirmed.

The government will introduce legislation to Parliament this week to override independent guidance on how offenders from ethnic minorities should be sentenced.

The Sentencing Council has told judges to review the lives of offenders from ethnic minority and other backgrounds before deciding on punishment.