How laws are made

Types of Bills Private Bills Public Bills Personal Bills Government Intended to affect one particular area or organisation Intended to affect the public as a whole Personal Bills Government Bills Private Members’ Bills Affect one or two people. Always begin in the Lords Steered through Parliament by a minister from the appropriate government department Sponsored by an individual MP or a Peer

The Queen signs-off the bill as a new law or ‘Act of Parliament’. Consultation stage The government makes a draft of the bill and asks senior officials to make comments. First Reading The government announces the bill by reading out its title in the House of Commons to let everyone know about it. Second Reading This is the main debating stage where all MPs can discuss the bill, ask questions and vote on it. It could be voted out at this stage. Committee Stage A smaller group of MPs look at the bill in detail. They may make changes, called ‘amendments’, based on their discussions. Amendments made during the Committee Stage are reported to everyone in the House of Commons. MPs may vote on these amendments. Report Stage Overall consideration of the bill in the House of Commons and final votes to decide whether it goes any further. Third Reading The Lords Stages The bill goes to the House of Lords who follow similar stages. They can suggest amendments to the bill and send it back to the Commons, who may send it back again until an agreement can be reached. If no agreement can be reached, the House of Commons can eventually vote to pass the law without consent from the House of Lords through an Act of Parliament which gives them more power over the House of Lords. The Royal Assent The Queen signs-off the bill as a new law or ‘Act of Parliament’.

Consultation Stage House of Lords House of Commons Royal Assent BILL First Reading Drafting Second Reading BILL Pre-legislative Scrutiny Committee Stage Report Stage BILL Third Reading House of Commons BILL First Reading Second Reading Royal Assent Committee Stage BILL ACT OF PARLIAMENT Report Stage Third Reading