How does a bill become law?

A bill becomes law by passing through both Houses of Parliament and then receiving Royal Assent. In each House it goes through a first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading. Both Houses must agree the same text. The King then formally approves it, and it becomes an Act.

Most bills are introduced by the government, though backbench MPs and peers can propose them too. The first reading is a formal introduction with no debate. At second reading, MPs debate the main idea and vote. In committee stage, a smaller group goes through the bill line by line and can change it. At report stage the whole House considers further changes, then votes at third reading. The bill then goes to the other House, which repeats the process. If the Lords make changes, the bill goes back and forth, called ping-pong, until both agree. Under the Parliament Acts, the Commons can override the Lords after a delay. Royal Assent has not been refused since 1708. Many Acts then come into force on dates set later by ministers.