Public Authority (Accountability) Bill

What the bill does

A Bill to set a requirement on public institutions, public servants and officials and on those carrying out functions on their behalf to act in the public interest and with candour and frankness; to define the public law duty on them to assist courts, official inquiries and investigations; to enable victims to enforce such duties; to create offences for the breach of certain duties; to provide funding for victims and their relatives in certain proceedings before the courts and at official inquiries and investigations; 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 Public Authority (Accountability) Bill

What stage is the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill at?

The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.

Has the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill become law?

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

What happens next to the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill?

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

Who sponsored the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill?

The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill was sponsored by Ian Byrne.

When was the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 2 July 2025, at first reading.

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