Public Bills
Public bills propose changes to the law as it applies to the general population. For example, a change to the age that people can vote in general elections or a change to the national speed limit on motorways.
Public bills are the most common type of bill introduced in Parliament. They can be introduced by the government and by backbench MPs or Lords. Bills introduced by backbench MPs and Lords are known as private members' bills.
Although many public bills are introduced each year, usually only bills introduced by the government, or bills which are not opposed by the government, will successfully pass through Parliament and become an act. This is because government business usually has priority in the House of Commons.
For more information read the Commons Library briefing paper on public bills.
Public bills introduced by the government
The government’s proposed programme of bills is announced at the beginning of each parliamentary session in the King’s Speech during the State Opening of Parliament. However, some of these bills may have been announced at an earlier date, and the government can introduce bills not mentioned in the King’s Speech.
Government bills can be introduced in either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. Before they can become law, they must pass through set stages in each House where MPs and Lords scrutinise and amend the bill.
Find out more about the passage of a bill through Parliament.
Bills that are largely financial or involve the public's money - like new taxes or public spending - are always introduced in the House of Commons.
The text of a government bill is published on the Parliament website shortly after it is introduced into Parliament.
View a list of public bills currently before Parliament.
The government can use a programme motion to timetable a bill's progress through the House of Commons by setting out the time allowed for debate at each of its stages. The motion is usually put forward for agreement immediately after a government bill has passed its second reading.
In the House of Lords, the time allowed for different stages of a bill’s progress is not limited in this way. Committee and Report stage are also different in the Lords. All amendments are considered and any member may take part, so these stages can take longer than their equivalent in the House of Commons.
Have your say about a public bill
If you have strong views about a public bill and would like to voice your objection or to suggest changes, you can do so by:
- writing to your MP or a member of the House of Lords
- writing to the government department responsible for the bill
- lobbying Parliament
- submitting evidence to the relevant public bill committee
You can find more about how to have your say in laws and debates.
What happens when a public bill becomes law?
Once a public bill has passed through all parliamentary stages and become law, it is known as an act of Parliament.
Learn more about acts of Parliament.
You can view the text of acts of Parliament online [external site].
English Votes for English Laws
From 22 October 2015 until 13 July 2021, the House of Commons Standing Orders gave effect to a procedure known as 'English votes for English laws' (EVEL). The House agreed to suspend the EVEL standing orders on 22 April 2020. They were removed altogether following a decision of the House on 13 July 2021.
- Download a diagram of the 'English Votes for English Laws' process (pdf, 1MB)
- House of Commons Library Research Briefing: English votes for English laws