Documents to download

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 18 January 2018 and had its second reading over two days on 30 and 31 January 2018. It was considered in committee of the whole House over eleven sittings between 21 February and 28 March 2018. A total of 477 amendments were tabled to the Bill for consideration at committee stage, but no amendments were made. The Bill was considered by the House of Lords at report stage over six days between 18 April and 8 May 2018. A total of 316 amendments were tabled for consideration at report stage and of these, a total of 192 amendments were made to the Bill. Third reading of the Bill took place on 16 May 2018, when a further nine amendments were made. This Briefing gives an overview of the main changes made to the Bill in the Lords, covering both the 15 government defeats and the numerous government amendments agreed.

More detail on the amendments made at report stages in the Lords is available in a longer House of Lords Library Briefing, European Union (Withdrawal) Bill: Lords Report Stage (14 May 2018).

Related Links

Documents to download

Related posts

  • Select communications offences and concerns over free speech

    Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 contain communications offences which criminalise the sending of indecent or grossly offensive messages. In April 2025, the Times reported that arrests made under these sections had increased since the pandemic, while convictions under them had decreased over the past decade. Responding to the data, commentators have argued that the findings highlight issues around the offences and their impact on free speech.

    Select communications offences and concerns over free speech

  • Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”

    The motion “that this bill do now pass” is moved immediately after a bill’s final stage in the House of Lords (known as third reading). It is amendable and so provides an opportunity for the House to oppose, delay or record a view on a measure if there is enough support. This briefing provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.

    Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”

  • Planning and Infrastructure Bill: HL Bill 110 of 2024–25

    The Planning and Infrastructure Bill would make changes to the system for approving major infrastructure projects, planning committees and nature recovery. It would also make changes to electricity and transport infrastructure processes, development corporations, spatial development strategies, and compulsory purchase. The government intends the bill to help grow the economy by enabling important infrastructure and homes to be built more quickly. Some parts of the bill, particularly those related to nature recovery, have attracted criticism from opposition parties and external bodies.

    Planning and Infrastructure Bill: HL Bill 110 of 2024–25