How a bill becomes a law

A new law starts as a bill. It must pass through both Houses of Parliament and get Royal Assent before it becomes an Act of Parliament.

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Ideas for laws

Most bills come from the government, often to carry out promises from its election manifesto.
The government may first publish a Green Paper (ideas for discussion) and a White Paper (firmer plans).
Backbench MPs can introduce Private Members' Bills, though few become law.

Stages in each House

A bill goes through these stages in each House:
StageWhat happens
First readingThe bill's title is read out; no debate
Second readingThe main debate on the bill's general aims, often followed by a vote
Committee stageA small group of members checks the bill line by line and suggests amendments (changes)
Report stageThe whole House considers the amendments
Third readingA final debate and vote on the finished bill

Royal Assent

After passing one House, the bill goes to the other House for the same stages. If the Houses disagree, the bill can go back and forth until they agree (sometimes called ping-pong).
Finally, the monarch gives Royal Assent and the bill becomes an Act of Parliament: a law.
Royal Assent is a formality today. The last time a monarch refused it was in 1708, under Queen Anne.
Worked example

A bill has just passed its third reading in the House of Commons. What happens next?

  1. A bill must pass both Houses.
  2. So it goes to the House of Lords for its first reading, second reading, committee, report and third reading.
  3. When both Houses agree the same text, it receives Royal Assent and becomes an Act.

Answer: It goes to the House of Lords for the same stages, then to the monarch for Royal Assent.

Key idea

A bill passes through first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading in each House, then gets Royal Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament.

Key words
Bill
A proposal for a new law that is being considered by Parliament.
Royal Assent
The monarch's formal agreement that turns a bill into an Act of Parliament.
Act of Parliament
A law passed by both Houses of Parliament that has received Royal Assent.
Manifesto
A list of what a political party promises to do if it wins an election.

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  1. A bill that has been passed by Parliament and given Royal Assent becomes what?

    1. A manifesto
    2. A referendum
    3. An Act of Parliament
    4. A petition
    Show the answer

    Answer: An Act of Parliament

    A bill is a draft law; once passed and given Royal Assent it is an Act.

  2. At which stage is a bill's title simply read out, with no debate?

    1. Second reading
    2. Committee stage
    3. Report stage
    4. First reading
    Show the answer

    Answer: First reading

    The first reading is a formal introduction of the bill.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 16 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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