Revision Resource - How laws are made in the UK
The Green Paper
This is the first stage of the process,
this paper contains possible new law,
and is an invitation for other MP's
to debate upon and discuss possible
new law.
The First Reading
The government then publishes (the white paper)
which is the official proposal for the new law.
This is considered a bill, there is no debate over it.
The Second Reading
This stage involves a debate about the principles of the proposed law, and a vote takes place at the end of the debate.
The Committee Stage
MPs from all parties vote and discuss in detail
about the bill, 'line by line', and add amendments.
The Report Stage
The committee is discussed and voted upon in the
House of Commons.
The Third Reading
The Royal Assent
This is signatory of the monarch, this confirms it as law.
The amended bill is voted upon and then sent to the House of Lords, all the same stages from the first reading to the second reading take place again, and if they make amendments, the bill is returned to the house of commons and voted upon until it is accepted.
Different Type of Bills
Private Members' Bills
Hybrid Bills
Private Bills
Public Bills
The changes of these law apply to everyone, they are proposed by government ministers.
Laws that are given to companies or other authorities to give them additional power, and only apply to them.
They are a mixture between private and public bills, and have a similar effect depending on their purpose.
A form of public bills, they cannot involved taxation, and also they can affect the entire population.
They are introduced by MPs or Lords, and are often about social issues.