Learn & Equip
Chapter 1

Lesson 1: How a Bill Becomes Law

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IN THIS LESSON

What is a Bill?

A bill is a formal proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one. It becomes law once it’s passed through several stages of debate, scrutiny, and voting in both Houses of Parliament (Commons and Lords), and receives Royal Assent from the monarch.

Bills can start in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords, though most government-backed bills begin in the Commons.

The Stages — and When You Can Influence

Understanding each stage helps identify where pressure, engagement, or consultation can make the most impact.

  1. First Reading

  • What happens: The bill’s title is read out loud. No debate or vote yet.

  • Public influence: Minimal at this point. The goal here is awareness — the bill is now public.

2. Second Reading

  • What happens: MPs debate the overall aims and principles of the bill. A vote is taken.

  • Public influence:
    ✅ Email your MP to raise support or concerns
    ✅ Run a campaign or petition if the bill has wide social impact
    ✅ Encourage others to engage — especially if the bill is contentious
    🕐 This is one of the most crucial moments to influence opinion.

3. Committee Stage

  • What happens: A Public Bill Committee (or Committee of the whole House) examines the bill in detail, line by line. Amendments (changes) are proposed.

  • Public influence:
    ✅ Submit evidence to the committee (if the committee invites public submissions)
    ✅ Speak to advocacy groups already giving evidence
    ✅ Run briefings or host discussions with community leaders, church groups or stakeholders to raise awareness

4. Report Stage

  • What happens: The full House debates the amended bill and can suggest further changes.

  • Public influence:
    ✅ Write to MPs about specific clauses or amendments
    ✅ Highlight changes in the bill that affect your community
    ✅ Campaign for or against amendments

5. Third Reading

  • What happens: Final version of the bill is debated and voted on.

  • Public influence:
    ✅ Pressure MPs for a final vote
    ✅ Share explainer threads, articles, or videos to mobilise action quickly

6. House of Lords

  • What happens: The bill goes through the same stages in the Lords. Peers often suggest new amendments, particularly on issues like human rights, asylum, and education.

  • Public influence:
    ✅ Write to sympathetic peers
    ✅ Contact Lords who sit on relevant committees
    ✅ Highlight how Lords amendments can protect communities or improve accountability

7 “Ping Pong”

  • What happens: If the Commons and Lords disagree on parts of the bill, it gets passed back and forth until both sides agree.

  • Public influence:
    ✅ Join or support urgent action campaigns
    ✅ Focus pressure on MPs or Lords likely to be swing votes
    ✅ Keep up visibility on social media to maintain pressure

8. Royal Assent

  • What happens: The King signs the bill. It becomes law.

  • Public influence: None — the process is now complete.

Summary: Points of Influence

Second Reading > Email MPs, raise awareness, run early campaigns

Committee Stage > Submit evidence, work with advocacy coalitions

Report Stage > Target MPs on specific issues or amendments

Third Reading > Final vote pressure, social media mobilisation

House of Lords > Contact Peers, highlight key improvements needed

Ping Pong > Join rapid response campaigns

Why This Matters

Laws don’t just “happen” — they are debated, amended, and shaped by those who show up. Knowing this process empowers you to act at the right time, in the right way, to influence outcomes that affect your community and the nation.