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| Killers of transgender people to get longer sentences | Killers of transgender people to get longer sentences |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Home Office has announced longer jail sentences for murders motivated by hostility to a transgender person. | The Home Office has announced longer jail sentences for murders motivated by hostility to a transgender person. |
| The starting point used by the judge to set the tariff - or minimum term - will double from 15 to 30 years. | The starting point used by the judge to set the tariff - or minimum term - will double from 15 to 30 years. |
| Ministers say an amendment will be added to the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. | Ministers say an amendment will be added to the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says it is part of a government strategy in England and Wales to drive out transgender prejudice. | BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says it is part of a government strategy in England and Wales to drive out transgender prejudice. |
| In September this year Leon Fyle, 23, was jailed for life for the murder of Destiny Lauren, a pre-operative transgender person who worked as a prostitute. | |
| Fyle, who was convicted after a retrial, was given a 21-year tariff. | Fyle, who was convicted after a retrial, was given a 21-year tariff. |
| 'Breaking down barriers' | |
| There are no specific figures for violence or hostility towards trans people but it is believed to be on the increase. | |
| The murder of Ms Lauren, who had been born Justin Samuels, was one of a number of recent murders of transgender people. | |
| On Thursday the Home Office launched the first ever national strategy to promote transgender equality. | |
| Unveiling the plan on YouTube, Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "It's an important step, but I recognise that government can only go so far. | |
| "So we will be working with schools, businesses and communities so that together, we can drive change and help consign transphobia to the past." | |
| April Ashley, who became the first person to undergo sex-change surgery in Britain in 1960, said: "There are so many support groups out there, unlike when I did my transition 52 years ago when there was no help at all. | |
| "Today's announcement shows we are moving forward to breaking down barriers and educating people." | |
| The Gender Identity Research and Education Society welcomed the plan: "It contains a welcome range of commitments from major government departments to improve the lives of trans people. | |
| "Trans people recognise that there is much more to do and will continue their productive relationship with the government." |