Find out more about The Open University's Politics courses and qualifications
What is a Bill?
An Act of Parliament starts off as a Bill. A Bill is a proposal for a new piece of legislation that – if approved by a majority in the House of Commons and the House of Lords – will become an Act of Parliament and law of the land.
There three kinds of Bill.
What is a Public Bill?
This is the most common type of Bill. Public Bills deal with matters affecting the public generally and are usually introduced by a Government minister. Public Bills apply throughout England and Wales. Most Bills are public and are introduced and supported by the Government.
What is a Private Members' Bill?
A Private Members' Bill deals with matters affecting the public generally but is introduced by a Member of Parliament who is not a minister. Private Members' Bills are a type of Public Bill and should not be confused with Private Bills.
What is a Private Bill?
A Private Bill deals with issues which affect only a very small number of people. For example, a Private Bill could deal with a matter affecting a single local authority. Private Bills are promoted by the group concerned. A Private Bill does not affect the general public as a whole. A Private Bill might be introduced, for example, to give National Rail (the company which maintains Britain's network of train lines) the power to construct a new railway line in a particular area of the country.
The passage of legislation
-
What happens when a Bill is drafted?
Read now to access more details of What happens when a Bill is drafted?Getting the Bill right is important. If it's going to become part of UK law, it needs to be carefully written - and supported.
-
How does a Bill move through Parliament?
Read now to access more details of How does a Bill move through Parliament?The passage of a Bill through the two houses gives a chance for refining and shaping the eventual legislation - or rejecting it altogether.
-
What is Royal Assent - and why don't laws come into force straight away?
Read now to access more details of What is Royal Assent - and why don't laws come into force straight away?The Monarch's sign-off on a Bill is the last stage in making laws in the United Kingdom. But there's sometimes a delay before the new law comes into force.
Study a free course
-
What is politics?
Learn more to access more details of What is politics?This free course, What is politics?, introduces you to the world of politics. It is dedicated primarily to answering the question of what politics is. Although the question might seem rather simple, it elicits various, often contradictory responses. As you will realise, in politics as in much of the humanities and social sciences definitive ...
-
Social psychology and politics
Learn more to access more details of Social psychology and politicsWhy are social psychologists interested in politics, and how can they help us understand things like social movements, protest and activism? This free course, Social psychology and politics, moves away from a state-centric study of politics and, using insights from social psychology, explores the role of identity, personality and culture for ...
-
The Scottish Parliament and law making
Learn more to access more details of The Scottish Parliament and law makingThis free course, The Scottish Parliament and law making, explores the law making powers of the Scottish Parliament and examines its place in the UK’s constitution. It considers how, and why, laws are made by both the Scottish and UK Parliaments before exploring devolved matters, reserved matters, legislative competence, secondary legislation, ...
Rate and Review
Rate this article
Review this article
Log into OpenLearn to leave reviews and join in the conversation.
Article reviews
Thanks for reading,
kind regards,
Jason