Consular Assistance Bill

What the bill does

A Bill to make provision for a right to consular assistance for British citizens abroad in cases where there has been, or where there is a risk of, a breach of human rights, denial of access to legal representation, or torture or other human rights abuses; and for connected purposes.

Progress through Parliament

What 2nd reading means, and what happens next

Second reading is the first full debate on the principle of the bill. The House votes on whether it should proceed at all.

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at second reading of a bill

Questions about the Consular Assistance Bill

What stage is the Consular Assistance Bill at?

The Consular Assistance Bill is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.

Has the Consular Assistance Bill become law?

Not yet. A bill becomes law only when it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent. The Consular Assistance Bill is currently at 2nd reading.

What happens next to the Consular Assistance Bill?

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Who sponsored the Consular Assistance Bill?

The Consular Assistance Bill was sponsored by Christine Jardine.

When was the Consular Assistance Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 11 December 2023, at first reading.

Other bills at 2nd reading

• Sovereign Grant Bill · John Healey
• Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL] · Baroness Young of Hornsey
• Representation of the People Bill · Steve Reed
• Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill · Matt Turmaine
• Health Bill · Wes Streeting
• Personal Data (Digital Twins) Bill · Dame Chi Onwurah

See every bill before Parliament