Water Bill

What the bill does

A Bill to set targets and objectives relating to water, including in relation to the ownership of water companies and to climate mitigation and adaptation; to require the Secretary of State to publish and implement a strategy for achieving those targets and objectives; to establish a Commission on Water to advise the Secretary of State on that strategy; to make provision about the powers and duties of that Commission, including a requirement to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership; 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 Water Bill

What stage is the Water Bill at?

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

Has the Water Bill become law?

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

What happens next to the Water Bill?

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

Who sponsored the Water Bill?

The Water Bill was sponsored by Clive Lewis.

When was the Water Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 16 October 2024, at first reading.

Other bills at 2nd reading

• Sovereign Grant Bill · John Healey
• Military Operations Bill · David Davis
• Lobular Breast Cancer Bill · John Milne
• Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] · Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
• Environmental Impact Assessment (Downstream Emissions) Bill · Harriet Cross
• Short-term Let Accommodation Bill · Rachael Maskell

See every bill before Parliament