Documents to download

The bill would introduce a “think again” procedure for draft affirmative statutory instruments (SIs). This would allow the House of Lords to ask the House of Commons to consider their concerns before an SI is approved or rejected. The bill would also place existing guidance on correcting minor errors in SIs onto the statute book.

Draft affirmative SIs need approval from both Houses of Parliament before they can become law. Both Houses can either approve or reject them, but cannot amend them except in rare cases. The bill aims to provide a mechanism for the Lords to raise concerns about an SI without outright rejecting it.

The bill has received mixed reactions. The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has welcomed the bill as an opportunity to discuss the process of parliamentary SI scrutiny. The Hansard Society has said it supports the bill in principle but believes the mechanism should not be placed in legislation.

Related Links

Documents to download

Related posts

  • Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill: HL Bill 96 of 2024–25

    The government has committed to reducing and reclaiming public money lost to fraud and error. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill contains provisions to extend Cabinet Office and Public Sector Fraud Authority powers to tackle fraud and error outside the tax and benefits system, and also expands powers to tackle fraud within the benefits system. The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 May 2025.

    Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill: HL Bill 96 of 2024–25

  • End of the second world war: 80th anniversary

    2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day, events which in 1945 brought an end to the second world war. On those days 80 years ago, celebrations erupted across Britain. However, world leaders and domestic politicians were aware of the numerous problems still to be tackled, such as reconstruction, demobilisation and the legacy of the development and use of the atomic bomb.

    End of the second world war: 80th anniversary

  • House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill: Committee stage

    Following five days of debate, the House of Lords concluded committee stage on the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. The bill would end the exemption that 92 places in the House are filled by hereditary peers. This short update summarises the current status of the bill ahead of report stage, dates for which are yet to be scheduled.

    House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill: Committee stage